Laurel County, KY - Sheriff John Root is reporting that: Laurel Sheriff's detective Sgt. Chris Edwards, a reconstructionist for the Laurel County Sheriff’s office, is investigating a two vehicle fatal traffic crash which occurred on Hensley Road approximately 7 miles North of London on Wednesday afternoon September 5, 2018 at approximately 1:15 PM.
The investigating detective reports that apparently a Toyota Camry was traveling westbound on Hensley Road and crossed into the oncoming lane and stuck a GMC Terrain SUV head on that was traveling east bound.
Evidence of drug usage is suspected on the Toyota’s driver. Investigation is continuing .
- The driver of the Camry was identified as Chris Francis age 45 of East Bernstadt – extricated from his vehicle and airlifted to UK Med Ctr., Lexington for treatment of serious injuries. A passenger in the Camry identified as Holly Francis age 60 of East Bernstadt was extricated and transported by Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County to St. Joseph Hospital London where she was pronounced deceased a short time later.
- The driver of the GMC Terrain SUV was identified as Laura Allen age 27 of East Bernstadt. 2 passengers in the vehicle, an infant under 1, and a 10 year old girl were transported to St. Joseph Hospital London for observation and treatment of injuries.
Det. Sgt. Edwards stated that in addition to the other occupants being restrained in seat belts in the SUV, the infant was properly restrained in a child safety seat that apparently protected the infant.
A comprehensive investigation is being conducted by Detective Sgt. Chris Edwards who was assisted at the scene by other Sheriff’s office detectives and deputies including: Deputy Daniel Grigsby, Major Chuck Johnson, Capt. Kevin Berry, Detective Gary Mehler, Deputy Jake Miller, Deputy Taylor McDaniel, Deputy Joey Robinson, and Deputy Gilbert Acciardo.
Other agencies assisting at the scene included: East Bernstadt Volunteer Fire Department and London Laurel Rescue Squad who assisted with some decontamination due to an unusual smell detected at the scene by deputies. No immediate cause for this smell was determined.They also extricated victims from the crushed vehicles.
Also assisting at the scene was Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County, and the Laurel County Coroner’s Office. A landing zone was set up by East Bernstadt Fire Dept and Sheriff’s deputies behind nearby Hazel Green Elementary school with their approval so Air Methods Helicopter could land and transport the driver of the Toyota Camry.
