KSP: Drugs may have played role in fatal crash

BELL COUNTY, Ky. (WTVQ) – Drug may have played a role in a two-vehicle, head-on crash on Highway 119 in the Page community of Bell County that claimed two lives Friday morning, the Kentucky State Police said in a release.

According to the Kentucky State Police, preliminary investigation indicates a 1994 Ford Explorer driven by 49-year-old Kimberly Jackson, of Pineville, was northbound on Highway 119Ms and crossed the center line, striking a southbound 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac driven by 45-year-old Verda Green, of Hulen.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene, according to a KSP release.

A passenger in Jackson’s Explorer, 70-year-old Doris Jackson, of Pineville, is listed in critical condition at University of Tennessee Medical center where she was airlifted following the crash.

Neither  Jacksons were wearing a seat belt.

Drugs may be a contributing factor in the collision and KSP is continuing to investigate, according to release.

Det. Andy Soltess is continuing the investigation. He was assisted at the scene by Bell County EMS, Bell County Sheriffs Department and Bell County Fire Department.

The accident happened shortly after 8 a.m. near the Tint Shop, according to the Bell County Sheriff’s Department. The road was blocked for about four hours and traffic was rerouted through Laurel Hill.

Bell County is located on the Tennessee state line in far southeastern Kentucky.