Eddyville, KY (June 28, 2019) – At approximately 4:38 PM Kentucky State Police Post 1 received numerous calls of a multiple vehicle collision on I24, east of Eddyville.
Preliminary investigation shows 12 vehicles to be involved in the collision. All involved were traveling east on I24. Traffic was slow to stopped, around the 51mm, due to construction ahead of the collision scene. Coleman A. Strachman, 42 of Sharpsburg, NC was operating a Semi-trailer truck east on I24. Witnesses’ state and early investigation indicates that inattention on behalf of the semi driver appears to be a contributing factor in the collision. The semi ran into stopped/slowed traffic at approximately the 51-mile marker, causing a chain of events with multiple injuries.
Jace Ashton Lee Smothers, 19 of Norton, KS was pronounced deceased on the scene by the Lyon County Coroner. Smothers was a passenger in a van occupied by multiple occupants. The van is, registered to Christ in Youth Incorporated out of Joplin, MO. Approximately 22 people appear to be involved. At least two others are in critical condition. Four people were Air lifted to Skyline Hospital in Nashville TN. One person was Air lifted to Deaconess Midtown hospital in Evansville Indiana.
Eight people were, transported via EMS by ground, to other local hospitals. The remaining individuals were released. Some out of town travelers are staying at local hotels.
UPDATE: Multi-Vehicle Crash Blocking I-24 Eastbound Lanes at 52mm in Lyon County at
5:30 a.m., CDT
Site is cleared. All lanes are OPEN.