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November 17, 2009

Rockholds man dies in crash

Police believe he was possibly distracted by cell phone in Whitley County wreck

By Samantha Swindler / Managing Editor

Police believe a Rockholds man who died in a car accident Sunday was distracted, possibly by a cell phone, when he wrecked in the Cripple Creek area of Whitley County.

Deputy Ron Bowling said Darrel R. Taylor Jr., 35, was headed eastbound on KY 836 at about 5:30 p.m. Sunday when he left the roadway and struck a tree.

Bowling said an investigation determined Taylor lost control of the car, possibly from a wheel dropping off the shoulder. It appears Taylor overcorrected, crossed the center line, and left the roadway, striking a tree.

“The speed limit is 55 miles per hour... and the skid-mark measurements indicate he was probably going in the mid-40s, so I don’t think that speed was a factor,” Bowling said. “...He was within the speed limit but I feel like he was distracted. There were two cell phones in that car ringing when I got there.”

Bowling said Taylor may have been bringing home dinner — a hot pizza was in the passenger seat.

Taylor wrecked on a straight portion of the highway. Bowling said the setting sun may have also played a factor.

The wreck happened near the front driveway of a home, where the owners were outside hanging Christmas lights.

“They actually didn’t see the wreck but they were able to call 911,” Bowling said.

Taylor’s two-door Toyota slid at an angle, striking the tree in the front fender and driver’s side door.

“It was a very severe impact, the car actually collapsed,” Bowling said.

Taylor was transported to Baptist Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Bowling said drugs or alcohol are not believed to be a factor in the wreck at this time.

“It was just one of those tragedies, a beautiful day, and the only thing we’ve concluded right now, we feel like the driver was distracted in some way,” he said.

Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, Whitley County EMS and Three Point Fire Department responded to the scene.

“The investigation is continuing, we have the vehicle, it’s been impounded and taken to a locked, secure facility,” Bowling said.

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