Excessive Speed is Believed to be a Contributing Factor
WAVERLY, Ky. (February 28, 2018)–Kentucky State Police responded to a report of a single vehicle fatality collision on US 60 near KY 141 in Union County.
Union County Sheriff’s Department was on patrol in the Morganfield area and performed a traffic stop on a Red Ford Contour near Wal-Mart on US 60 around 8:15pm. As the deputy was approaching the vehicle, the operator sped away from the traffic stop. The deputy was not able to keep up with or even keep the vehicle insight. Minutes later, authorities received a 911 call reporting a wreck on the same vehicle from the earlier traffic stop.
Preliminary investigation reveals Robert A. Bluem, 35 of Henderson was operating a 1998 Ford Contour traveling eastbound at a very high rate of speed on US 60. It is believed his excessive speed was one of the contributing factors in him losing control and running off the north side of US 60 near KY 141. The vehicle struck a culvert and a tree before final rest. The driver was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the car. He was transported by ambulance to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville for life threatening injuries.
The passenger, Linda L. Smith-Bluem, 31 of Henderson was pronounced dead on-scene by Union County Coroner’s Office. It is unknown at this point if she was wearing a seatbelt.
Further investigation reveals, the vehicle Bluem was driving was reported stolen in Vanderburgh County, IN. The investigation also showed both Robert and Linda Bluem had warrants for their arrest. Robert and Linda are married and next of kin has been notified.
Union County Coroner’s Office, Union County Ambulance Service, Union County Sheriff’s Department, Morganfield Police Department and Union County area Fire Departments assisted KSP at the scene. US 60 was closed for approximately three hours while KSP reconstructed the collision.