HENDERSON, KY – On September 1, 2021 Kentucky State Police Post 16 Henderson received a call from Hancock County Dispatch around 4:30 PM of a two-vehicle fatal collision in the 2700 block of KY 1389, Hawesville.
Preliminary investigation reveals 27-year-old Donavon E. Elmendorf of Lewisport was traveling eastbound on KY 1389 in a 2002 Buick Century. For an unknown reason, Elmendorf crossed the centerline striking a Hancock County school bus in a head-on fashion.
The 2003 Thomas-Freightliner school bus operated by Tracy Y. Rickel, 59 of Hawesville was traveling westbound transporting five students and one bus monitor.
All five students and monitor reported no injuries and were released to their legal guardians on-scene.
Rickel was taken to Owensboro Health for possible back injuries.
Elmendorf was pronounced dead on-scene by the Hancock County Cornor’s Office.
Elmendorf was transporting five other passengers in his car. Three juveniles were transported by ambulance from the scene to Owensboro Health. They were then airlifted to Norton’s Children’s Hospital in Louisville.
This morning they were listed in stable condition.
Two other passengers, Ashley R. James, 23 of Cannelton, IN and Cody M. Sipes, 26 of Tell City, IN were both injured and transported to Owensboro Health.
James remains at Owensboro Health and at last check, listed in stable condition. Sipes was later transported to U of L Hospital in Louisville where he is currently stable.
Kentucky 1389 was closed for nearly five hours as KSP reconstructed the collision.
Hancock County and Hawesville Fire Department and Hancock County EMS/Ambulance service, Hancock County Coroner’s Office, Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, Hancock County Schools and other agencies assisted troopers at the scene.
The investigation is on-going by Kentucky State Police.
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