LONDON, KY (April 12, 2022) - Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that: Laurel Sheriff's Traffic Crash Reconstructionist Lt. Chris Edwards is investigating a two vehicle single fatality traffic crash which occurred on East Laurel Road (KY 80) in London on Monday afternoon April 11, 2022 at approximately 1:50 PM.
The investigating Reconstructionist reports that apparently a Chevrolet Tahoe traveling eastbound on KY 80 traveled across the centerline in a slight curve and struck a Freightliner truck head-on causing a fatal injury to the driver of the Tahoe and critical injuries to a passenger in the Tahoe.
The driver of the Freightliner truck was uninjured.
The two drivers were identified as:
- The driver of the Chevrolet Tahoe, Joseph Gary Smith age 60 of Manchester, KY – Pronounced deceased at the scene by Laurel County Coroner Doug Bowling. A passenger in the Tahoe was airlifted to UK Medical Center with critical injuries.
The driver of the Freightliner truck, John D. Philpot age 45 of London – No injuries reported.
Agencies assisting at the scene included: for the Laurel County Sheriff's office: Maj. Chuck Johnson, Capt. Robbie Grimes, Deputy Jamie Etherton, Deputy Allen Turner, Detective Robert Reed, Detective Taylor McDaniel and the case officer/Crash Reconstructionist – Lt. Chris Edwards.
Other agencies assisting included London Laurel Rescue Squad, Laurel County Fire Department, London City Fire Department, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Laurel County Department of Public Safety, and Eco-Tech.
Also assisting was London City Police with rerouting traffic.
