Update: July 2 at 5:15 p.m.
A 40-year-old man from Ohio has been arrested following a fatal collision in Bracken County on Saturday that ended the lives of two Kentuckians.
According to a Kentucky State Police (KSP) press release, troopers obtained an arrest warrant on Wednesday against Brandon Barrett of Hamersville, Ohio for two counts of reckless homicide and one count of wanton endangerment, in connection to the deaths of Bracken County residents Tyler Smith and Emily Smith.
On Saturday, the two individuals died in a head-on collision on the AA Highway, police previously reported. Barrett, who was reportedly operating a 2004 Ford SUV heading west, struck a 2024 Kia head-on when he was allegedly attempting to pass a vehicle in a double yellow line area. Both Tyler and Emily Smith were reported dead on-scene after passing from their injuries. Following the collision, Barrett was transported to the UK Medical Center for treatment.
On Wednesday, though, Barrett was arrested by the UK Police Department and was taken to the Fayette County Detention Center for his alleged involvement in the deaths of Tyler and Emily Smith. He is facing two counts of reckless homicide, a class D felony, and one count of first-degree wanton endangerment. His bond has been set $2 million.
Update: June 28 at 12 p.m.
Kentucky State Police (KSP) has announced that a collision that occurred on Kentucky Highway 9, or the AA Highway in Bracken County on Saturday, ended in two fatalities and one injury.
According to a press release, KSP Post 6 was requested by Bracken County Dispatch to investigate a fatal collision on Saturday at Dutch Ridge Road.
An investigation determined that a collision occurred when a 2004 Ford SUV (which was traveling west) struck a 2024 Kia head-on, when the driver of the Ford attempted to pass a vehicle in a double yellow line area.
The driver of the Kia, Tyler Smith, and the passenger of the Kia, Emily Smith (both from Bracken County) died as a result of their injuries. They were both pronounced dead on-scene by the Bracken County Coroner's Office. The driver of the Ford was transported to the UK Medical Center for their injuries.
The fatal collision remains under investigation by the KSP Collision Reconstructionist. Assisting KSP on-scene was Bracken County EMS, the Bracken County Fire Department, and the Bracken County Sheriff's Office, according to the press release.
Original story:
The AA Highway (KY 9) in Bracken County is blocked in both directions due to a crash as of 6 p.m. on Saturday, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said.
The road is blocked between Augusta Chatham Road (KY 19) at the 5.52 mile point and Dutch Ridge Road (KY 2370) at the 3.79 mile point. The closure is centered near the 4.26 mile point.
Motorists are encouraged to find alternate routes or avoid the area entirely.
The closure is expected to last five to seven hours as law enforcement investigates the crash, Kentucky State Police added.
This is a developing story and LEX News will have additional information as it becomes available.
