Photo: MGN, Inc

One fatality has been reported following a two vehicle crash that occurred the morning of Friday, May 4, 2018. Kentucky State Police Post 13 in Hazard received a call advising of the collision in the Rockfork community at 5:53am. Trooper Leo Slone and CVE Officer Tony Brashear were called to the scene to investigate. The initial investigation determined that 23 year old Zachery Patrick of Emmalena was operating a 2001 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck while traveling east on KY 80. Patrick’s truck collided with the rear end section of a 1995 Kenworth tractor trailer, which was also traveling east on KY 80. Patrick was entrapped inside his vehicle had to be removed by mechanical means by the Ball Creek Fire Department. He was transported to the Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased by the Perry County Coroner’s Office. The driver of the Kenworth, 64-year-old Kelly Smith of Fisty, was not injured. Patrick was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of collision. Toxicology results for both drivers are pending.