Deane, Ky. (March 30, 2020) – A Letcher County man was killed Sunday evening after being struck by a vehicle while he was walking along a roadway. Troopers were called to the Deane community after Kentucky State Police Post 13 received a call advising that a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle on KY Highway 7, near Razorblade Branch Road. Letcher County Sheriff’s Deputies and Neon Ambulance Service assisted at the scene.
The initial investigation determined that Rebecca Hall, age 30 of Cromona, was traveling north on KY 7 in a 2002 Jeep Liberty, when her vehicle struck a pedestrian. The victim, 39 year old Claude Shannon Whitaker of Deane, was pronounced deceased at the scene by Letcher County Deputy Coroner Derek Meade. Rebecca Hall left the crash scene as Troopers arrived to investigate. She was later located at her residence in the Haymond community of Letcher County. Rebecca Hall was arrested and charged with Reckless Homicide, Leaving the Scene of an Accident and Tampering with Physical Evidence. Hall was lodged in the Letcher County Detention Center pending court proceedings.
An autopsy will be performed today at the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort. Toxicology results are pending. This incident remains under investigation by Trooper Jarrett Fields and Detective Brandon Thomas with KSP Post 13.
