Published: June 30, 2009 02:06 pm      

East Bernstadt man killed in wreck

An East Bernstadt man was killed and two others were seriously injured in a two-car crash at the intersection of KY 3434 and KY 3094 in East Bernstadt Friday afternoon.

James Pierce, 81, of East Bernstadt, was pronounced dead at Saint Joseph-London by Laurel County Deputy Coroner Kris Vanover. Pierce was a passenger in a Chrysler Sebring driven by his 16-year-old grandson, Sam Rush.

Rush was treated and released at the hospital.

Two other men, who were traveling in an older model Mustang, Zachary D. Hoskins, 19, of East Bernstadt, and his passenger, David Davidson, 21, were airlifted from the scene to the University of Kentucky Medical Center. Both had been discharged as of Monday afternoon.

The driver of a dark green Chrysler Sebring JX convertible, who was traveling north on KY 3434, apparently failed to stop at a sign, striking an older model Mustang, which was traveling east on KY 3094, Laurel County Sheriff’s Deputy Ernest Rudder said. The two cars landed in a ditch in front of L&P Crossroad Market.

A witness, Greg Bowling, said he was in front of the Mustang and was turning onto KY 3434 when he saw the two cars collide in his rear-view mirror.

“I heard tire marks and looked back and saw the two cars collide,” he said. “I dialed 9-1-1 before I stopped. I knew it was bad when I heard it.”

aurel County Sheriff’s Office Reconstructionist Richard Dalrymple was called in to complete the investigation. Assisting at the scene were the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, London-Laurel County Rescue Squad, East Bernstadt Fire & Rescue, East Bernstadt Voluntary Fire Department and Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County.