The Kentucky State Police is investigating after a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet contract worker was struck and killed in a vehicle collision Tuesday.
The KSP says at around 9 a.m. on April 23 troopers were requested by LaRue County Dispatch to investigate a collision involving a van and a highway worker. The KSP says the preliminary investigation shows that Henry T. James of Louisville was driving a van east on KY-210/Old Elizabethtown Road when he entered a portion of the roadway reduced to one lane for maintenance operations. James failed to observe 22-year-old Blake Barnes of Elizabethtown, who was flagging eastbound traffic.
The van struck Barnes near the 3100 block of KY-210. Barnes was pronounced dead at the scene by the LaRue County Coroner’s Office.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet released a statement following Barnes’s death which states: “Our hearts ache for the loss of a transportation team member today. We extend our sincere condolences to all those impacted by this tragedy. Please join us in lifting up the families, friends and colleagues in your thoughts and prayers. The safety and well-being of all employees is a top priority, and we are working with authorities as they review the incident.”
The road was closed for nearly 5 hours for accident reconstruction. The investigation is ongoing.
