UPDATE: Kentucky State Police Investigate Fatal Crash in Perry County

***UPDATE***

HAZARD, Ky. (March 30, 2026) – The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) continues to investigate a fatal crash that occurred on Sunday, March 22, 2026, shortly after 11:00 a.m. in Hazard, Ky.

Trooper Megan Thomas was responding to an emergency call for service while traveling east on KY-80 in Perry County. A vehicle operated by Edward Reynolds, age 69, of Mallie, Ky., was traveling west on KY-80 and attempted to turn left onto Perry Circle Road, entering the path of the trooper’s vehicle. The two vehicles collided at the intersection of KY-80 and Perry Circle Road.

As a result of the crash, Mr. Reynolds and a passenger in his vehicle, Crista Slone, age 50, of Leburn, Ky., were pronounced deceased at the scene.

Trooper Thomas is a four-year veteran of the agency and assigned to Post 13 Hazard.

The investigation remains ongoing and is being conducted by the KSP Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT).

Original News Release below:

HAZARD, Ky. (March 23, 2026) – The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) has been requested by KSP Post 13 in Hazard to investigate a fatal crash that occurred on Sunday, March 22, 2026, shortly after 11:00 a.m. in Hazard, Ky.

A trooper from Post 13 was responding to an emergency call for service in Knott County, traveling east on KY-80. Another vehicle, which was traveling west on KY-80, attempted to turn left onto Perry Circle Road and into the path of the trooper’s vehicle. The two vehicles collided in the intersection of KY-80 and Perry Circle Road.  

The Trooper sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center before being flown to UK Chandler Medical Center.

The driver and passenger in the other vehicle were pronounced deceased at the scene by the Perry County Coroner’s Office.

KSP was assisted by Hazard Police Department, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Ambulance and the Hazard Fire Department. 

The investigation remains ongoing and is being led by the KSP Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). 

KSP is committed to maintaining transparency while ensuring the integrity of the investigation. In accordance with standard operating procedures, specific details will not be released until vital witnesses have been interviewed and all pertinent facts have been gathered. The timeline for completing the investigation will depend on the complexity of the case.

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