By Emily Burton
Register News Writer
BEREA —
Berea Police responded Saturday to the scene of a multiple vehicle crashes on Interstate 75 northbound just north of Exit 76.
At about 9:30 a.m., two separate crashes occurred simultaneously when drivers attempted to avoid a ladder in the center lane of the roadway.
A 76-year-old driver of a white Buick Lucerne from Florida swerved to avoid a ladder that was laying in the center lane, when he was cut off by another motorist, Sgt. Randy Hensley said. The car went into an uncontrollable skid and hit the center median. The man’s wife, a passenger in the car, was transported to the University of Kentucky Medical Center for injuries suffered in the crash.
At the same time, a 2008 Ford Mustang, driven by Susan Walters, 55, of London also tried to avoid the ladder, when her vehicle was rear-ended by a 2008 Nissan Versa driven by Darren McKinney, 20, of Broadhead, said Officer Lonnie Sams. The Mustang swerved onto the shoulder, the Versa was completely disabled by the crash and remained in the center lane.
Neither Walters nor McKinney were injured in the crash. Police said alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the crash, although wet roadways may have been responsible for the Lucerne’s uncontrollable skid.
No citations were issued in the crash. It is unclear how the ladder came to be on the roadway.
The Berea police and fire departments, as well as the Madison County Rescue Squad, responded to the scene.
The crash reduced Interstate 75 near Exit 76 down to one lane for more than an hour. The roadway was reopened by 10:30 a.m.
As of 11 a.m. Saturday, the name and condition of the injured woman was unavailable.
Emily Burton may be reached at eburton@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694. Follow Emily on Twitter at, RR_EBurton@twitter.com.
