The investigation is continuing

Kite, Ky.  (August 31, 2018) – A two vehicle crash involving a motorcycle and pick-up truck claimed the life of a Knott County man today.  Kentucky State Police Post 13 received a call advising of the collision shortly after 12:00 p.m.  Trooper Robbie Dials responded to the crash site on Mullins Branch Road in the Kite community of Knott County.  Deputy Robbie Slone with Knott County Sheriff’s Office, Trans Star Ambulance and Knott County Rescue Squad provided additional assistance.

The preliminary investigation of the crash determined that 31 year old Eugene Campbell of Kite was operating a Honda CBR 500 motorcycle westbound on Mullins Branch Road when he collided head-on with a 1989 Toyota Tacoma, which was traveling east.  Campbell was ejected from the motorcycle and was later pronounced deceased at the scene by Knott County Coroner Jeff Blair.  The driver of the truck, 52 year old Willard Ritchie Jr. of Kite and a juvenile passenger were not injured.  Both were wearing seat belts at the time of the collision.

Contributing factors have yet to be determined, though the investigation is continuing.  Toxicology results on both drivers which are collected as part of fatal collision investigations, are pending.  No autopsy will be performed, and Eugen Campbell was not wearing a helmet at the time of this crash.  Detective Scott Caudill with KSP Post 13 is heading this investigation.