Updated 4 p.m.
One person was killed and another critically injured Thursday afternoon in a three-vehicle crash on the Wendell H. Ford Expressway (commonly referred to as the bypass) near Carter Road, according to Daviess County Sheriff Brad Youngman.
The crash occurred around 1 p.m. near the intersection of the bypass and Carter Road, Youngman said. Investigators said a Jeep SUV (right lane) and a Honda SUV (left lane) were traveling eastbound side-by-side when a third vehicle attempted to merge onto the bypass from the Carter Road on-ramp. The maneuver caused the Jeep and Honda to make contact, sending the Honda out of control, Youngman said.
According to DCSO, the Honda crossed the median into the westbound lanes and struck a westbound Dodge minivan, causing catastrophic damage to both vehicles.
The drivers of the Honda and Dodge were transported by ambulance to the emergency department at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, authorities said. One of the drivers was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital, while the other remained hospitalized in stable condition Thursday afternoon.
The westbound lanes of the bypass were closed until approximately 4 p.m. while investigators processed the scene.
Multiple agencies responded, including the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, Daviess County Emergency Management, Daviess County Fire Department, Owensboro Fire Department, Airport-Sorgho Fire Department, Owensboro Police Department, AMR ambulance service, the DCSO Civil Enforcement Unit, and the Daviess County Coroner’s Office.
The crash remains under investigation by the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Unit.
