Hazard, Ky. (March 23, 2018) – A crash involving three vehicles claimed the life of a Berea, KY man Friday evening.
Kentucky State Police Post 13 received a call just after 6:00 p.m., advising of a three car collision near the Perry and Leslie County line on the Hal Rogers Parkway. KSP personnel responded to the scene along with Perry County EMS. Upon arrival, first responders observed that one of the vehicles involved was on fire and the occupant inside appeared to be deceased.
During the initial investigation it was determined that Brent Collins, age 44 of Berea, was traveling westbound on the Hal Rogers Parkway in a 2005 Toyota Corolla. Collins was attempting to pass a Chevrolet S-10 pick-up when his car collided head on with a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe in the eastbound lane. The impact of the collision redirected Collins’ car into the S-10 truck he was overtaking. All three vehicles were incapacitated, with the Toyota becoming engulfed by flames. Perry County Deputy Coroner John Collett pronounced Brent Collins deceased at the scene. Sheila Watts, the driver of the Tahoe, was transported to Hazard ARH for treatment of non-life threatening injuries as was the driver of the S-10, 46 year old Katrina Sexton of Slemp. A passenger in the Tahoe was also taken to Hazard ARH where he was treated and released.
Seatbelts were in use by occupants in the Tahoe and S-10, but not by the deceased. There will be no autopsy performed, and toxicology samples taken on all drivers, which is standard procedure in fatal collision investigations, are pending. This incident remains under investigation by KSP Detective Brandon Thomas.