GRAND RIVERS – The two-vehicle fatal collision on Hwy 62 Tuesday night has claimed the life of 23 year old State Trooper Eric Chrisman.
According to a release issued by Kentucky State Police Trooper, Stu Recke, Chrisman was operating a 2010 Ford Crown Victoria Police Cruiser westbound on US 62 responding to a reckless driving complaint when he failed to negotiate a curve. His cruiser crossed into the eastbound lane into the path of an oncoming tractor-trailer operated by Richard A. Burnham Jr., 53, of Benton. The cruiser was hit on the driver’s side.
Trooper Chrisman was pronounced dead at the scene by Livingston County Coroner, Jeff Armstrong. Mr. Burnham was transported to Marshall County Hospital where he was treated and released. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts.
Trooper Chrisman was a 2015 graduate of the KSP Academy. He was originally from Lawrenceburg, KY and currently resided in Eddyville while assigned to Lyon County.
The crash remains under investigation by the Kentucky State Police. The following agencies assisted at the scene: KSP CVE, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the Calvert City Police Department, Livingston County Sheriff’s Department, Lyon County Sheriff’s Department, Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, Grand Lakes Fire Department, Gilbertsville Fire Department, Smithland Fire Department, Calvert City Fire Department, Livingston County EMS, Marshall County EMS, Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife, Kentucky Dam Village State Park Rangers, the Livingston County Coroner’s Office, the McCracken County Coroner’s Office, and the American Red Cross.