Traffic Snarled In Morning Collision: Sheriff Says No Injuries Are "A Miracle"

Scene of an accident at 101 and 743 on January 23, 2019.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
Emergency personnel were dispatched to the intersection of HWY 101 and 743 around 7:45am this morning to a report of a two-vehicle collision.

According to the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office, Courtney Kemble, (30), of Brownsville was turning left onto HWY 101 from HWY 743 when her Chrysler minivan partially entered the path of John Bratcher, (80), who was driving a white Lexus SUV headed south on 101.  

Chrysler minivan driven by Courtney Kemble (30), of Brownsville.

Kemble's van was struck in the rear driver's side by Bratcher's Lexus and both vehicles came to rest in opposite emergency lanes, according to the Sheriff.

The Sheriff said that neither Kemble nor her two-year old daughter were injured in the collision as Kemble was wearing a seat belt and the child was properly restrained in a child safety seat.

Lexus SUV driven by John Bratcher, (80), Brownsville.

Bratcher, who was also wearing a seat belt, was not injured. Multiple airbags were deployed in his vehicle. Sheriff Shane Doyle said given the situation and impact, he was amazed that none of the occupants in the vehicles were injured.

"Thank God no one was injured," said Sheriff Doyle. "That's one of our busiest intersections during the school rush, and it's a miracle no other vehicles were involved and no one was hurt. This is a great example of how important seat belts and child safety seats can be. We'd like to encourage everyone to take your time when school traffic is heavy and please watch closely."

Traffic was backed up for about a half hour in both directions while the scene was being cleared.

Responding at the scene were the Chalybeate and Brownsville Fire Departments, Edmonson County EMS, Sheriff Shane Doyle, and Edmonson County Emergency Management.

**an earlier version of this report had one of the driver's names misspelled. It has since been corrected.