Kentucky State Police Investigate Letcher County Fatal Crash

WHITESBURG, Ky (October 19, 2026) – On Sunday, October 18, 2026, just shortly before 11:00 a.m., Kentucky State Police, Post 13 in Hazard received a call in reference to a two-vehicle injury collision on KY-15 in the Whitesburg community of Letcher County.

Troopers, along with medical personnel responded to the scene. Preliminary investigation indicates that a 2023 blue Dodge Ram being operated northbound by Travis Thomas, 34, of Hindman. The vehicle struck a white 2022 Ford F-150 in the rear pushing it into the south bound lane. Following the collision, the Dodge Ram struck the guardrail and exited the roadway off the southbound shoulder and came to rest down an embankment.

Thomas was pronounced deceased on scene by the Letcher County Coroners Office. No autopsy was scheduled and toxicology results are pending. This incident remains under investigation and is being reconstructed by Trooper Branden Watts.  

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