Two airlifted from scene of Thursday wreck in southern Whitley County

Two people were airlifted to the University of Tennessee Medical Center Thursday night after a two-vehicle wreck on U.S. 25W in southern Whitley County.

Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy Joe Prewitt said the wreck involving a 1990 Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck and a Pontiac two-door sedan occurred just after 7 p.m. just north of Jellico.

Prewitt said the pickup truck, driven by 33-year-old Wanda Kilgore of Corbin was travelling south when it crossed the centerline and collided with the Pontiac driven by 53-year-old Tracy Chapman.

“Kilgore said the steering wheel locked up and when it did, the truck crossed the centerline and the vehicles collided,” Prewitt said, adding the collision was nearly head-on.

South Whitley firefighters were called to the scene and had to extricate Chapman from the car.

Chapman and Kilgore were both airlifted from the scene.

Prewitt said a passenger in the pickup truck, identified as 44-year-old Marshall Kilgore, was taken by ambulance to Jellico Community Hospital.

Officials at UT said Friday that Wanda Kilgore had been released.

Chapman is listed in serious condition.

Prewitt said the U.S. 25W in both directions was closed to traffic for several hours. Traffic was rerouted onto Ky. 1804.

The road was reopened at approximately 10 p.m.

Whitley County EMS, Campbell County, Tenn. EMS, Jellico Rescue Squad and Jellico Police all responded to the scene.

Prewitt said there is no evidence that drugs or alcohol played a factor in the crash.