From the Knox County Ky Sheriff's Department -
On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at approximately 5:00 pm Knox County Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic collision with injuries at the junction of KY 3606 and Tower Road in Corbin. While in route the deputies received another call from Knox Dispatch advising that there were people possibly trapped inside one of the vehicles and the driver of the other vehicle had fled the scene on foot.
The vehicles involved in the crash were a 2008 Chevy van operated by Christopher Smith and a RTEC Transportation van. All five occupants in the RTEC Transportation van received non-life threatening injuries and were taken to the Baptist Regional Hospital in Corbin for treatment. None of the RTEC occupants had to be extricated from the van. The driver that fled on foot was located some time later just off Tower Road.
57-year-old Christopher Sanders Smith of Corbin, KY., was arrested and charged with Leaving Scene of Accident/Failure to Render Aid, Operating Motor Vehicle Under Influence, Reckless Driving, Failure to Yield Right of Way, No Operators License and five counts of Wanton Endangerment-1st Degree. Christopher Smith was wanted on a Whitley County Bench Warrant for failure to pay the fine on a Possession of Controlled Substance- 3rd Degree charge.
Christopher Smith was also taken to the Baptist Regional Hospital where he was treated and released. He was then was lodged in the Knox County Detention Center.
Corbin City Police Officers, Corbin Fire Department and Woodbine Fire Department assisted at the scene.