From the Bell County Sheriff's Department -
Bell County Deputy Major Edwards responded to an accident on Highway 25E on Tuesday night November 15, 2023, at approximately 9:00pm in the vicinity of Faith Temple Church.
A tractor trailer driver lost control of his vehicle in a curve, over corrected, and flipped the truck onto its side. The vehicle spilled the 38,000 lbs. of cargo onto the roadway, blocking the southbound lane.
Also responding was Bell County Volunteer Fire Department and Middlesboro EMS who assessed the driver for injuries. He was cleared shortly afterward.
At approximately 11:09pm Bell County Dispatch received a call about another accident, a short distance from the first, in front of the Combs Equipment Group on Highway 25E.
The accident involved three vehicles, one of which was a commercial tractor trailer that had been impacted by a passenger vehicle that was forced under the trailer after being rear ended by a pickup truck which also struck the trailer.
Responding to this accident was Deputy Edwards, the Bell County Volunteer Fire Department, and Kentucky State Police.
At least one occupant died in the accident, three were flown out by Air Evac and three were taken to Pineville Community Health Center for treatment of injuries.
Kentucky State Police are handling the investigation of this accident, and their reconstructionist unit is on scene. Also assisting on scene was the Bell County Rescue Squad, KSP CVE Jason Freeman, and Bell County Coroner Jason Steele.
The identity of the deceased individual is being withheld until next of kin is notified and will be released at a later time.