[Academy] [Cold Cases] [Commercial Vehicle Enforcement] [Commissioner's Office] [Concealed Deadly Weapons] [Contacting the KSP] [Core Values] [Crime & Traffic Information] [Fallen Trooper Memorial] [FAQs] [Forensic Laboratories] [Forms/Downloads] [Highway Safety] [History of the KSP] [Home Page] [Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force] [Kentucky's Most Wanted] [Links to Other Websites] [Missing Children] [News Releases] [Organization] [Post Locations] [Recruitment] [Sex Offender Registry] [Special Enforcement Troop] [Trooper Island]
[Return to Kentucky State Police Main Website]

For other Kentucky Government sites visit: [Kentucky.gov]

Home > Post > Post 13 > Post 13 News Release > 2009 News Releases > News Release

Fatal Collison on Highway 119 in Letcher County

Date of News Release: 09/09/2009

(Hazard, Ky.) -- At approximately 5:17 P.M. the Kentucky State Police Post 13 in Hazard received report of an injury traffic collision along Highway 119 North just outside Whitesburg in the Mayking community of Letcher County. A gold 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier was traveling southbound along U.S. Highway 119 when for an unknown reason the vehicle suddenly veered across the median and into the path of a black 2004 Ford F-150 which was traveling north bound in the right hand lane. The vehicles collided head on & both vehicles came to a final rest in the north bound lanes of travel. The Operator of the gold Chevrolet Cavalier Cherie D. Taylor, age 41 of Whitesburg, KY was pronounced deceased at the scene of the collision by Letcher County Coroner Wallace Bowling, Jr. A passenger in this vehicle Lydia Gernert, Age 4 was transported to the Whitesburg Appalachian Regional Hospital and was later air-lifted to the Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, TN where she is listed in critical condition. The Operator of unit 2 Brittney Bates, age 19 of Thornton, KY along with 2 passengers in her vehicle were also transported to the Whitesburg Appalachian Regional Hospital where they were treated for their injures. Seat belts were utilized by all parties involved in this collision. Trooper First Class Derek Hall is conduction this investigation.

This collision resulted in Highway 119 North being closed for more than 3 hours near the scene of the collision.

Contact Information for the Kentucky State Police

This page was last modified on:

About this site | Feedback | Privacy | Disclaimer | Individuals with Disabilities
Copyright © 2002-2010 Kentucky State Police, all rights reserved