Photo: MGN, Inc

A Pikeville woman was killed in a two vehicle crash in Letcher County the afternoon of Saturday, May 5, 2018. Troopers with Kentucky State Police Post 13 in Hazard responded to the scene of the collision on US 119 near Jenkins in the Payne Gap community. The preliminary investigation determined that Franklin Travis Helbert, age 37, of Appalachia, VA, was operating a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado northbound on US 119 while pulling a horse trailer. Helbert lost control of the truck which crossed the centerline and continued into the southbound lane, where it collided with a 2008 Toyota Yaris, driven by 66-year-old Judy Kiser of Pikeville. Rainfall and wet road conditions are believed to have contributed to the crash. Kiser, along with two passengers in her vehicle, 90-year-old Kathleen Tackett of Belcher and 61-year-old Barbara Newsome of Pikeville, were transported to Whitesburg ARH Medical Center for treatment of injuries sustained in the collision. Newsome died at the hospital and pronounced deceased by Letcher County Coroner Renee Campbell. Helbert refused medical treatment. Franklin Helbert was charged with DUI, manslaughter, assault, and drug charges. He was lodged in the Letcher County Detention Center.