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UPDATED: Six hurt in Corbin crash; Sheriff says grand jury will decide if cause was criminal
Posted On 04 Sep 2010
Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies are trying to determine what, if any, part alcohol or drugs played in a head-on collision Saturday on U.S. 25, which resulted in six people being airlifted to the University of Kentucky Medical Center and the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
According to Laurel County Sheriff’s Deputy Sergeant Greg Poynter, five people were airlifted from the scene about a mile north of the junction of U.S. 25E and 25W in Corbin about 10 a.m. Saturday. A sixth person was taken to Baptist Regional Medical Center and then airlifted to UK.
Poynter said the wreck occurred when a 1989 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Rachel Hubbard, 36, of London, crossed the centerline as it was traveling south and stuck the 2003 Pontiac Grand Am, driven by Chassidy Wilson, 30, of Gray, which was traveling north. Deputies found a bottle of alcohol in the truck.
West Knox Firefighters and members of the Laurel County Rescue Squad had to use the Jaws of Life to cut the top off of the cab of the truck and force open the doors of the car to extricate the occupants. In addition to Hubbard and Wilson, the victims included four passengers in the Grand Am, Donny G. Wilson, 34, of Gray, two juvenile females and one juvenile male.
"It sounded like a gunshot," one witness said of the collision, adding that drivers’ excessive speed has made wrecks on that stretch of roadway a regular occurrence.
Rumors spread of another victim who fled the scene but was brought into Saint Joseph-London later that day for treatment of injuries sustained in the wreck. However, Poynter said a check of area hospitals turned up no one and the accident scene made it unlikely.
"We heard that a woman ran off from the truck, but we were unable to locate anyone," Poynter said. We checked with Saint Joseph but no one was brought in. I don’t see how anyone could have run off from the truck since they had to cut the roof off to get the people out."
U.S. 25 in both directions was closed to traffic for more than six hours as emergency personnel worked to clear the scene.
Kentucky State Police Accident Reconstructionist Greg Hill was called to work with Laurel County Sheriff’s Det. Richard Dalrymple.
Sheriff Fred Yaden said the results of the investigation will be presented to a Laurel County Grand Jury to determine whether criminal charges are warranted.
Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies, Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County, Knox County EMS, Laurel County Rescue Squad and West Knox Fire Department responded to the scene.
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Those “siren blowing maniacs” as you call them are mostly volunteers who are trying to get to the scene to render aid. In a situation like that seconds matter. I’m sorry you did not have the common sense to get out of the way for an emergency responder as is required by law. Imagine for a moment you are trapped in a burning house or pinned in your car hurt, do you want me to hurry and get to you or take my sweet time? When its you that needs us you want us to rush but when its others we are just in your way aren’t we? Quit being selfish and get out of the way.
it should not matter what lane is open when you see light and hear sirens you should get out of the way by pulling off the road if it were you or someone you love you would want them to respond as quick as possible so i always pull over no matter were i am i respect those whom chose this job and the way they do there job
Where did you incident happen?
Those boys must be ignorant, I was almost on the shoulder and one idiot still almost hit me. They drive their personal vehicles way to fast. What was wrong with the other lane, one of these days they will pile up and kill half a dozen trying to help one… then what kind of help will you be doing, getting the department and the chief sued…. that will help a bunch of people…
Get out of the way when you see red lights, blue lights, and hear sirens. These ppl are trying to get to victims who are seriously injured. Wouldn’t you want them to get to you quickly??
Will someone tell those fools that drive like idiots to these wrecks to watch what they are doing and slow down. I was almost ran over today by the red light siren blowing maniacs