Published: June 17, 2009 07:49 pm      

Man flown to UK after wreck on Ky. 1247

A Somerset man was in fair condition at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington yesterday evening after he was involved in a two-vehicle collision on North Ky. 1247 around 2:39 p.m. yesterday.

The driver of the second vehicle was transported to Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital.

Derek Smith, 21, was traveling north on Ky. 1247 near McKee Street when his pickup truck skidded on the wet highway, causing him to lose control of the vehicle and enter the opposite lane of traffic.

As Smith’s vehicle slid sideways, it was struck in the driver’s side by a southbound Dodge van driven by 60-year-old Darlene Blair of Nancy.

Somerset Police Officer William Cowan discovered the wreck shortly after it occurred while he was driving through the area to warn residents of a tornado warning which had just been issued for Pulaski County.

Smith had to be extricated from his vehicle by emergency personnel. He was treated at the scene and transported to Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital by Somerset-Pulaski County EMS workers, and he was later flown to the UK Medical Center.

Blair was transported by the EMS to Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital. At press time, she was still being treated in the emergency room, but hospital personnel said she was in good condition.

The Somerset Police Department says both drivers were wearing seat belts at the time of the collision.

The incident remains under investigation by members of the SPD Accident Reconstruction Unit.