Kentucky State Police Investigates Fatal Collision in Rowan County

MOREHEAD, KY (March 22, 2026) – The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) is investigating a fatal collision that occurred yesterday evening in Rowan County. A KSP Post 8 Trooper, while on patrol in Bath County, observed a speeding vehicle near the 128-mile marker and attempted to stop the vehicle at around 8:45 p.m. EDT. The vehicle, described as a gray 2017 Chevrolet Camaro, accelerated and failed to stop, initiating a vehicle pursuit.

The fleeing vehicle exited I-64 at exit 133, turning onto KY 801 and continuing to flee from the Trooper. After losing sight of the fleeing vehicle while on KY 801, the Trooper ended the pursuit at around 8:50 p.m. and continued patrolling in the area. Some local citizens reported that a vehicle matching the description of the fleeing Camaro had recently passed by on KY 801, heading south. Shortly after 9:00, a Trooper located the Camaro and again attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle increased speed and again initiated a pursuit, fleeing from the Trooper.

As the vehicle approached the intersection of KY 801 and KY 519, the operator lost control, resulting in the vehicle leaving the roadway and striking a utility pole at around 9:05 p.m. The vehicle then caught fire and became fully engulfed. Troopers made every effort to remove the driver from the vehicle but were unsuccessful.

The operator of the vehicle was identified as Donavan Kyle Porter, a 30-year-old male from Olive Hill, KY. Mr. Porter was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Rowan County Coroner’s Office and was later transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. The investigation by the KSP CIRT remains ongoing.

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