London, KY – On Sunday, November 1, 2015, at approximately 9:27 PM, Kentucky State Police Post 11, London received a report of a fatal three-vehicle collision on southbound I-75 near the 46 mile marker in Laurel County.
Upon investigation, Traffic Crash Reconstructionist Trooper Craig Reed determined that a 2000 Volvo commercial vehicle operated by Zhurko Pavel, 46, of Nicholasville, KY was traveling southbound when he was struck in the rear by a 2002 Saturn, also traveling southbound, operated by Ford J. Wagers, 30, of Livingston, KY. Further investigation revealed that after the initial impact, that Pavel pulled over onto the right shoulder and got out of his vehicle to go check on the occupants of the Saturn. At this time, a 2003 Volkswagon, which was also traveling southbound, operated by Jonathan J. Willis, 33, of Panama City, FL struck the Saturn that was partially in the roadway. That impact sent the Saturn into an embankment and the Volkswagon then struck Pavel while he was on foot.
Pavel was transported to the ST Joseph’s Hospital in London where he was pronounced deceased by the Laurel County Coroner’s Office.
Wagers was flown to the University of Kentucky Medical Center where he is receiving treatment for his injuries. His passenger Heather M. Brock, 28, of Waco, KY was transported to the ST Joseph’s Hospital in London where she was treated and released.
Trooper Reed is continuing the investigation and was assisted at the scene by Troopers from Post 11, Kentucky State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers, Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, Laurel County EMS and Laurel County Fire Department.
