To: All News Agencies

From: Detective Sergeant Darryl Carr

Date: 10/09/2007

Re: Fatality on KY 998 (Olivet Church Road)

On 10/09/2007 at 10:29PM, The McCracken County Sheriff's Department received a call of a single motor vehicle collision on Olivet Church Road near Matthew Drive. The driver, Erica Reil, 17 of Paducah, was traveling north on Olivet Church Road when an animal (Miss Reil could not tell what kind of animal) ran out in front of her vehicle. Miss Reil swerved to miss the animal, when she performed this maneuver she lost control of her vehicle striking an earth embankment and utility pole. The vehicle then traveled across both lanes of traffic overturning in the process. The vehicle came to rest on its side off of the roadway.

There were two other occupants in the vehicle. The front passenger was Christina Newton, 17 of Paducah. She was taken to Western Baptist Hospital via Mercy Regional EMS. Her medical status is unknown at this time. The remaining passenger was Whitney Herzog, 16 of Paducah. Miss Herzog was sitting in the backseat of the vehicle and was partially ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead of head injuries at the scene by McCracken County Coroner Dan Sims.

Erica Reil was treated and released from Lourdes Hospital

Erica Reil states that she did have her seat belt in place but it does not appear either passenger had their seatbelt in place.

The crash is still under investigation. No charges have been filed at this time.

The McCracken County Sheriff's Department was assisted by Lone Oak Police and Concord Fire Department.