W’burg man’s death a ‘tragic accident’

A construction site accident late Friday afternoon claimed the life of a Williamsburg man.
Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley pronounced L.B. Ellis, 62, of Williamsburg, dead at the scene about 4:30 p.m.

Croley said Ellis was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and died instantly when struck by a piece of construction equipment.
Williamsburg Police Public Affairs Officer Shawn Jackson said some construction workers were doing excavating work on private property adjacent to the waterpark when the accident occurred.

“They were moving some dirt and loading it in a dump truck when a freak accident happened,” Jackson said.

Ellis, who was driving a dump truck, had backed in to get loaded, and had exited the vehicle when the operator of an excavator, Jerry Leach of Jellico, swung the boom around to get another load of dirt.
Jackson said the boom trapped Ellis between the two pieces of equipment.

He said Leach, who was a good friend of Ellis, couldn’t see him, and that the matter is simply a “tragic accident.”

“They worked together every day. They were very close. It has been especially hard on Mr. Leach. It is just an awful way to lose your best friend,” Jackson added.

He said a blood sample was taken from Leach so that toxicology tests could be done, which is a routine procedure in the event of a fatal accident.

Jackson said no drug or alcohol involvement nor foul play is suspected, and that authorities anticipate filing no charges.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the families,” Jackson said. “During this holiday time, it is especially hard for family members to lose loved ones. Our hearts go out to them. It was just a tragic accident.”
Williamsburg Assistant Police Chief Rick Mosley is leading the investigation and was assisted by Kentucky State Police and Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement.

Ellis was laid to rest Tuesday afternoon at the Ellis Family Cemetery in Williamsburg.