Published: September 04, 2008 11:09 am      

Trooper hits, kills bicyclist

Illinois man struck by KSP trooper on U.S. 25 South

One of two bicyclists was killed in a traffic crash involving a Kentucky State Police vehicle on Sunday night around 11 p.m. in front of South Laurel High School.

Chris Powers, a 26-year-old bicyclist from Jonesboro, Ill., was pronounced dead at the scene by Laurel County Coroner Doug Bowling, according to a press release by KSP Public Affairs Officer Don Trosper. A second bicyclist, 26-year-old Kevin Alshouse, of McHenry, Ill., received minor injuries and was treated at the scene. Senior Trooper Christopher W. Roberts was transported to Saint Joseph-London where he was treated and released. The driver of a white 1996 Plymouth, 45-year-old Ramondo Cabrera-Ceron, of London, and his juvenile passenger, which were also involved in the accident, were not hurt.

Roberts was traveling southbound on U.S. 25 to answer a non emergency call in southern Laurel County when a car in front of came to a sudden stop.

Roberts steered to the right in an attempt to avoid a collision, striking the passenger side of the Plymouth and then the two bicyclists.

All lanes of travel on U.S. 25 between KY 192 and KY 1006 remained closed while the crash was investigated.

Roberts, 31, is a 5-year veteran of the Kentucky State Police. Trosper said Roberts is on leave while he recovers from his injuries.

The crash is being investigated by the Kentucky State Police Regional Reconstruction Team. Assisting at the scene were the London Police Department, Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County, Laurel County Emergency Management and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

This was the second traffic accident in a week in which a Kentucky State Police trooper wrecked while answering a call.

Ashley Angel, 24, of McKee, remains in critical, but stable condition, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center after she was hit by Kentucky State Trooper First Class Parrish Baker while he was responding to an accident on Hal Rogers Parkway Sept. 24.