Subject:

3 vehicle accident on ramp delays traffic

Date:

Dec 11, 2009

At approximately 15:50 pm the McCracken County Sheriff's Department responded to a 3 vehicle accident on the westbound on ramp to Interstate 24 at Exit 11.  Upon arrival Sheriff's Department SGT JT Coleman found 3 vehicles involved in the accident.  The investigation showed that due to heavy Interstate traffic cars had slowed and were stopping on the ramp, when a 2004 Chevy pick-up being driven by Greg Sharp 45 yoa of Murray came up the ramp and struck the rear 2 vehicles causing the accident.  Mr. Sharp said he saw the vehicles but thought them to be on the shoulder and looked backed to see if it was clear to merge onto the Interstate, when he looked back foward he realized they were on the ramp but was unable to avoid the collision.   Sharps vehicle struck the rear of a 1998 Pontiac that was being driven by 36 year old Deanna Adkinson of Paducah,  the impact caused Adkinson's vehicle to leave the roadway and travel down the earth embankment were it came to rest.  Sharps vehicle continued forward striking the rear of a second car a 2006 Nissan being driven by Alice Jarvis 66 of Symsonia. Jarvis'  vehicle left the roadway as well and traveled about 50 yards down the embankment before coming to a stop.  Sharp was transported by ambulance to WBH to be checked out for injuries related to the accident, his airbag deployed as a result of the collision.  Adkinson and 2 passengers her daughters Jada 8, Jacey 6,  were transported to Lourdes hospital also to be checked out for minor injuries.  Jarvis and her Husband 59 year old Ron Jarvis were transported to Lourdes also for evaluation.  The ramp was closed to traffic for approximately 2 hours while crews worked to recover the vehicles and clean up debri on the roadway.  All of the vehicles had to be towed from the scene for significant damage. The sheriff's department was assisted by the Reidland Farley Fire Department that provided first aide and traffic assistance, Mercy ambulance and SGT Gary Clark of the KY Dept of Fish Wildlife.  That is the second accident that has occured on that ramp in the couple of weeks due to similar circumstances.  The Sheriff's department wants to remind drivers that on-ramps are suppose to be used to enter the interstate at highway speeds and drivers should judge traffic to avoid having to stop on the ramp. 

Thanks,

Sgt JT Coleman

McCracken County Sheriff’s Department