News Summary
A tragic accident in Walton, Kentucky, resulted in the deaths of two elderly women after a dump truck collided with their SUV. The crash occurred at the intersection of U.S. 42 and Beaver Road, leading to a significant investigation by authorities. The driver of the SUV remains in critical condition, while the dump truck driver suffered minor injuries. Community members are calling for increased safety measures at the problematic intersection, which has seen prior accidents.
Walton, Kentucky – A tragic accident occurred earlier this week when two women were killed in a collision involving a dump truck and a Chevrolet Equinox SUV at the intersection of U.S. 42 and Beaver Road. The crash took place on Tuesday around 4:30 p.m. and has led to a significant investigation by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.
According to investigators, the 66-year-old driver of the SUV, who resides in Corinth, made a left turn directly into the path of the oncoming dump truck. Upon impact, the SUV flipped onto its roof while the dump truck veered off the roadway, striking parked vehicles before crashing into the Boonedocks Bar and Grill restaurant. Tragically, two elderly passengers in the SUV, identified as 89-year-old Betty Hillard from Lexington and 91-year-old Eva Mulberry from Williamstown, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the SUV was rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where she is being treated for critical, life-threatening injuries. The dump truck driver, who is an employee of Bedrock Trucking LLC, suffered only minor injuries and was also taken to the hospital for evaluation. Fortunately, no patrons inside the Boonedocks Bar and Grill were harmed during the incident.
Investigators believe that all individuals involved were wearing seatbelts when the collision occurred. Limited visibility at the intersection due to the landscape of the roadway has been identified as a contributing factor to the crash. While speed and impairment are not currently believed to be factors, they remain under investigation.
Ongoing Investigation
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office is actively conducting an investigation, which includes an analysis by their Accident Reconstruction Unit. Notably, witnesses to the incident or anyone with additional information is encouraged to reach out to authorities to help advance the investigation.
The site of the accident has previously been flagged as a problematic location, prompting restaurant owners to advocate for safety enhancements to prevent future incidents. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has undertaken several improvements at the intersection in recent years, including relocating warning beacons and applying high friction surface treatments to enhance roadway safety.
Community Response
The owners of the Boonedocks Bar and Grill expressed their gratitude for the community support during the cleanup efforts following the collision. They also underscored the urgent need for clearer safety measures at the intersection to protect drivers and pedestrians alike.
Security cameras at the restaurant captured part of the crash; however, officials have stated that the footage is not intended for public release. As investigations continue, the focus remains on understanding the circumstances leading up to this tragic incident and preventing similar occurrences in the future.
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Additional Resources
- Fox19
- WCPO
- Local12
- WLOX
- Fox19 – Restaurant Owner’s Response
- Wikipedia: Traffic Safety
- Google Search: dump truck accident Kentucky
- Google Scholar: road safety measures
- Encyclopedia Britannica: traffic accidents
- Google News: Boonedocks Bar and Grill
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
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