Kentucky State Police Investigate Fatal Leslie County Collision 

BIG CREEK, Ky. (July 26, 2026) – Kentucky State Police Post 13 in Hazard is investigating two fatal collisions that occurred Saturday, July 25, 2026, on the Hal Rogers Parkway in Leslie County.

At approximately 2:54 p.m., a Kentucky State Police trooper was patrolling the Hal Rogers Parkway when he came upon a two-vehicle collision near the 37-mile marker.

The preliminary investigation indicates that a red Nissan Juke, operated by Taegan Mosley, 17, of Hyden, was traveling westbound when, for reasons still under investigation, the vehicle crossed the center line into the eastbound lane and collided head-on with a Ford Expedition.

The operator of the Ford Expedition and a juvenile passenger sustained injuries and were airlifted to the University of Kentucky Medical Center for treatment. A passenger in the Ford Expedition, Penny Ison, 64, of Cornettsville, was transported by ambulance to Mary Breckinridge Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. She was pronounced deceased by the Leslie County Coroner’s Office.

Mosley was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Leslie County Coroner’s Office.

While emergency personnel and investigators were processing the initial collision, a second fatal collision occurred in the same area.

At approximately 7:43 p.m., while the roadway remained closed to traffic, a gray Chevrolet Traverse, operated by Tracie Whittymore, 42, of London, drove through the established roadway closure and collided with the rear of a parked commercial motor vehicle. Whittymore was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Leslie County Coroner’s Office.

Toxicology testing is pending in both collisions. No autopsies will be conducted. Both collisions remain under investigation. Collision reconstruction is being conducted by Detective Scott Caudill.

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