W’burg woman behind the wheel in fatal Knox County crash

Kentucky State Police say alcohol and drugs are a suspected as contributing factors in a fatal wreck that occurred on Ky. 11 Tuesday evening near the Hammons Fork intersection in Knox County, and criminal charges are pending, according to a state police press release.

About 8:41 p.m., officers from KSP Post 10 in Harlan responded to the accident and their preliminary investigation indicates that Amber Hacker, 20, of Williamsburg, was driving a gray 2005 Honda Civic south on Ky. 11 when she crossed the center line striking the guardrail, according to a KSP press release.

She then traveled back across both lanes exiting the roadway a second time before colliding with a rock embankment. The vehicle then overturned and came to final rest on its top in the southbound lane, the release stated.

There were five total occupants in the vehicle. One rear passenger, Dale Taylor, 45, of Barbourville, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Three other occupants, including the driver, were transported by Knox County EMS to Baptist Health Corbin for treatment of injuries they sustained during the crash. Two of the occupants were later flown to the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, while a third refused treatment at the hospital, according to the release.

None of the occupants were wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision.

KSP Trooper Frank Russell investigated the collision and was assisted at the scene by Trooper Josh Messer, Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy Hunter Luttrell, Knox County EMS, members of the Richland Volunteer Fire Department and Knox County Coroner Mike Blevins.