Kentucky State Police are investigating a two-vehicle wreck that killed two people and seriously injured a third person.
According to KSP Post 16 in Henderson, troopers responded to the wreck around 6:40 a.m. Tuesday on US 431 about 1.5 miles south of Island in McLean Count, just north of the Muhlenberg County line.
Police say the preliminary investigation revealed that 41 year old Jose C. Ojeda-Solis, of Hartford, KY was driving northbound on US 431 and was passing another northbound vehicle when he crashed head-on into a southbound vehicle driven by 36 year old Chris Stewart, of Central City, KY. Both vehicles exited the road and stopped off the shoulder of US 431.
Authorities report Ojeda-Solis was pronounced dead on the scene by McLean County Deputy Coroner Lee Muster. Stewart was transported by Muhlenberg County EMS to Owensboro Health for treatment of serious injuries. Troopers say a passenger in Stewart’s car, 23 year old Patrick Baxter, of Central City, KY was also pronounced dead on the scene by Deputy Coroner Lee Muster. Both decedents were transported to the Madisonville Medical Examiner’s Office for further investigation.
At this point in the investigation, police say it is unknown if drugs, alcohol or speed is a contributing factor. It’s also unknown if seatbelts were utilized. However, at the time of the collision, they indicate fog may have contributed to lower visibility for motorists traveling that particular section of US 431.
Both lanes were impacted for over four hours as emergency crews and KSP reconstructionists worked to clear the collision scene.
The investigation is on-going by KSP.
The McLean County Sheriff’s Department; Muhlenberg County Sheriff’s Department; McLean County Fire and Rescue; Central City Fire; Island Vol. Fire; Bremen Vol Fire; Muhlenberg County EMS; and McLean County EMS assisted KSP at the scene.