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Four teens included in highway fatalities

December 10, 2008

Thirteen people died in nine separate crashes on Kentucky roadways from Dec. 1 — 7, according to preliminary statistics released Monday by the Kentucky State Police.

All of the fatalities involved motor vehicles, and five of those victims were not wearing seat belts. Four of the crashes involved the suspected use of alcohol. Single-vehicle crashes occurred in Gallatin, Jefferson, Jessamine, Lewis, Logan, Madison and Woodford counties.

Four teenagers were killed in a crash in Bell County.

Kentucky State Police Post 10 Harlan and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement received a call about a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 25 East in Pineville. A 2007 Toyota Yaris was traveling south on U.S. 25 East and a 2008 Peterbilt coal truck was traveling northbound on the same road. Due to inclement weather, the operator of the Yaris lost control of the vehicle and crossed into the northbound lane and was struck by the truck.

The operator of the truck was Dwight Robinson Jr., 34 of Tyner. The operator of the Yaris was Jonathan Miracle, 18, Miracle. Miracle's three passengers were Jessica Ingram, 16, of Pineville; Wesley Ingram, 16, of Pineville; and Daniel Campbell, 15, of Blackmont. All four occupants of the Yaris died as a result of injuries in the accident. All subjects involved in this vehicle crash were wearing seatbelts, and no drugs or alcohol is suspected.

Daniel Campbell, Jessica Ingram and Wesley Ingram were all part of the Bell County High School Air Force Junior ROTC and were on their way to march in the Christmas parade in Harlan, KY.

A double-fatality crash occurred in Woodford County. The victims were not wearing seat belts and the suspected use of alcohol was a factor in this crash.

Through Dec. 7, preliminary statistics indicate that 755 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways during 2008. This is 61 fewer than reported for this time period in 2007.

Of the 578 motor vehicle fatalities, 361 victims were not wearing seat belts. Of the 88 motorcycle fatalities, 52 were not wearing helmets. Twenty-three people have been killed in ATV crashes, and 21 of those were not wearing helmets. Sixty pedestrians have been killed. A total of 161 fatalities have resulted from crashes involving the suspected use of alcohol.

Citizens can contribute to highway safety by reporting erratic drivers to the Kentucky State Police toll-free at 1-800-222-5555. Callers will remain anonymous and should give a description of the vehicle, location, direction of travel and license number if possible.

A total of 71 teenage drivers (ages 16-19) have been killed on Kentucky roadways from Jan. 1, 2008 through Dec. 7, 2008.

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