subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Wed, Jan 07 2009 

Published: April 15, 2008 06:29 am    print this story   email this story  

Truck filled with coal crashes into minivan

By Tara Kaprowy
Staff Writer

A ditch was filled with more than 17 tons of coal and a string of traffic lights was yanked down after a coal truck struck a minivan Thursday.

Around 9:45 a.m., Billy Wilson, 30, was driving a J.R. Edwards Trucking Company coal truck westbound on Hal Rogers Parkway at the same time that Linda Madden was getting ready to turn left onto KY 30 from the parkway’s eastbound lane.

What happened next is unclear, but “someone ran a light,” London Police Officer Nick Jones said. “

It’s still under investigation. She said she had a green light, he said he had a green light.”

Wilson, who was reportedly driving fast, struck the minivan’s front passenger side, knocked into a traffic light pole and turned into a ditch, spilling the coal.

Sondra Woods, of Greenmount, was almost caught in the collision.

“He was coming at a good speed,” she said. “She followed the concrete truck — and thought the light was green. He got on two wheels to keep from hitting me. The truck rose up, hit the light, and down he went.”

Woods said she wasn’t sure if the light was green for Wilson or not. Either way, she said she was relieved to avoid the accident.

“I’m very lucky today,” she said.

Neither Wilson nor Woods were seriously injured. A 17-year-old male teenager, who was sitting in the minivan’s passenger seat, was also not hurt.

Wilson and Woods were wearing their seat belts. Use of drugs or alcohol are not suspected.

Kentucky Transporta-tion Cabinet workers put up a temporary wooden pole and had the traffic lights working by about 6 p.m. Thursday evening.

ECO-Tech workers handled the clean-up, which involved scooping up the coal and putting it into a container. The coal that could be salvaged was brought to a site in East Bernstadt. The rest was brought to the Laurel Ridge Landfill.

Jones was assisted at the scene by the London Police Department, London Fire Department, Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County, Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, ECO Tech USA LLC, and Laurel County Division of Public Safety and Emergency Management.

print this story   email this story  



Photos


The remains of a 2007 Dodge Caravan after being struck by a coal truck. Photo by Tara Kaprowy/Staff Writer (Click for larger image)


London fire fighters and police officers work to stabilize the scene on Hal Rogers Parkway, after a coal truck slammed into a minivan. Photo by Tara Kaprowy/Staff Writer (Click for larger image)


London Police Officer Nick Jones jots down information about an accident on Hal Rogers Parkway involving a coal truck and a minivan. Photo by Tara Kaprowy/Staff Writer (Click for larger image)

monster
autoconx

Premier Guide
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

C.N.A. Position
CNA position available. Hours: 8:30 - 3:30; Monday thru Friday. Must be over 18 years of age and have dependable transpo...>MORE

Mobile Home Delivery
Persons interested in delivering and setting mobile homes. Must have valid drivers licenses. Call 682-1241....>MORE

Part time OTR drivers needed
Part Time OTR drivers needed. Reefer experienced. Singles or teams. Average .40 per mile. (606)864-5797...>MORE

Diesel Mechanic
Help Wanted: Diesel Mechanic. Call (606)864-8996....>MORE

LPN Administrator, Day Health Care Center
LPN Administrator Day Health Care Center. Friends and Companions Day Health Care is now accepting applications for a fu...>MORE

Tax Preparer
Tax preparer needed. Experience preferred but not necessary. Apply in person at J & J Accounting & Tax Service #2. 606-...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Autos

Sell it Fast!!!
Looking to sell or buy a car? Check here first for quick results. Call our classified department for more informaiton ...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Real Estate

Buying or Selling?
List where millions can see what you have to offer. By listing your property here, visitors to our online edition can s...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2008. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index