CORBIN — By John L. Ross / Staff Writer

Man dies following wreck

A single-vehicle crash in Whitley County has left one man dead.

Jerry Wayne Powers, 61, of Williamsburg, was driving his Toyota Tacoma east on KY 92 near Jellico Creek just after midnight Wednesday when he apparently lost control, according to Whitley County Sheriff Colan Harrell.

Harrell said the road was wet and slippery. Once he lost control, the truck flipped, partially ejecting Powers, killing him.

He was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Chief Deputy Coroner Jerry W. Croley said in a release he pronounced Powers dead at 1:20 a.m. Wednesday morning, Croley said routine toxicology tests were performed, but that no alcohol or drugs are suspected in the crash. He said results from that testing will be available in about a week to 10 days.

“The road was slick,” Croley said. “It could have been black ice — you can’t see that until you’re on it.

“But the slick road was the main problem.”

Croley continues to investigate.

Whitley Sheriff’s Lt. Dennis Foley investigated the crash, and was assisted by Williamsburg Police Department Patrolman Timmy Shelley, Whitley County EMS and the Goldbug Fire and Rescue Department.

In other law enforcement news:

— Another suspect has been arrested as part of Operation Christmas Spirit.

Operation Christmas Spirit was a drug roundup conducted by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department in December. That roundup netted charges for more than 20 people so far.

The newest arrest is James Oral Roberts, 32, of Corbin. He was arrested on Casey Road in Corbin.

Whitley Sheriff Colan Harrell said Roberts now faces charges of second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense, and two separate charges of failure to appear.

He remains jailed at the Whitley County Detention Center under a $7,500 open, active cash bond.

— One of two people “most wanted” by the Laurel County Sheriff’s Department was arrested Thursday.

According to Laurel County Sheriff Public Affairs Officer Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, the two had indictments issued Dec. 20.

Jeffrey Todd McGhee, 48, of East Bernstadt, remains jailed in the Laurel County Correctional Center under a $10,000 cash bond. He faces charges of manufacturing methamphetamines, first offense, first-degree wanton endangerment, and fourth-degree assault.

Sheriff’s Detective Jason Back, Detective Brad Mitchell and Lt. Rodney Van Zant received information developed on the suspect’s location.

They arrested McGhee just after 9 a.m. Thursday morning, 10 miles north of London.

The other suspect still being sought by deputies is Tab McGhee. If anyone has any information concerning the whereabouts of Tab McGhee, you can contact the Laurel County Sheriff’s Department at 606-864-6600. All information provided is strictly confidential.

— Laurel County Sheriff John Root said Senior Sgt. Greg Poynter and Deputy Greg Turner investigated reports of a man and a juvenile involved in a fight Wednesday night.

Turner and Poynter arrived at a residence on Sinking Creek Road to find the two separated, but with visible injuries.

Deputies learned the man, 43-year-old Scott M. Seeley, of London, had been drinking alcohol with the juvenile when the two began to argue, which ensued into a physical altercation.

Seeley was arrested and now faces charges of fourth-degree assault by domestic violence and third-degree unlawful transaction with a minor.

The 17-year-old juvenile faces charges of fourth-degree assault by domestic violence, and alcohol intoxication in a public place.

He was placed in the custody of his guardian.

Both received treatment at the scene from Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County.

— A London woman faces rape charges after being indicted in Laurel County.

Amy B. Price, 29, was arrested Thursday morning by Laurel Sheriff Detective Jason Back and a Deputy U.S. Marshall.

She was taken into custody on London Boat Dock Road on a bench warrant.

She remains jailed in the Laurel County Correctional Center under a $10,000 cash bond.

She faces second-degree rape charges (mentally incapacitated by an intoxicating substance).