Whitesburg, KY. (October 01, 2020) – On Thursday, October 1, 2020, at approximately 7:20 pm Troopers with the Kentucky State Police Post 13, Hazard, along with Officers of the Whitesburg Police Department responded to a two vehicle collision on KY-15 bypass in the Whitesburg community of Letcher County.
Initial Investigation indicates that Gregory Branham, 58, of Mayking operated a white 2008 Chevrolet Pickup northbound on KY-15 bypass. Branham’s vehicle crossed the center line into the southbound lane striking a 2011 blue Nissan operated by Karen Jackson, 70, of Neon. The vehicles collided head-on, causing fatal injury to both drivers. A female Juvenile passenger was also killed as a result of the collision. Two additional passengers were airlifted to Pikeville Medical Center to be treated for serious injuries. All three individuals were pronounced deceased on the scene by the Letcher County Coroner’s Office.
It appears seatbelts were not in use in one of the vehicles; however, occupants of the other vehicle were wearing seatbelts. Troopers were assisted on scene by Whitesburg Police Department, Letcher County Sheriff’s Department, Neon Fire, and Rescue, along with Whitesburg Fire Department. Toxicology and autopsy results are pending. This collision remains under investigation by Trooper Jarret Fields.
