KSP Investigating Fatal Collision on US 79 in Todd County

Guthrie, Ky. (Todd County) – On June 18, 2021, around 1:07 PM, the Kentucky State Police Post 2, Madisonville, was requested by the Todd County Sheriff’s Department to investigate a fatal collision on US 79, approximately 3 miles North of Guthrie.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2018 Dodge Ram 5500 commercial vehicle being operated by Mark Stoltzfus, 72, of Franklin, KY was traveling South on US 79 when it struck the rear of a 2015 Nissan car that was stopped to make a left turn onto KY 848.The Dodge truck continued to travel into the Northbound lane and struck a 2015 Toyota Highlander head-on.

The operator of the Toyota, Susan Merrill, 51, of Clarksville, TN and her backseat passenger, Gavin Merrill, 13, of Ocala, FL, was pronounced deceased at the scene by Todd County Coroner Timmy Wells. Matthew Merrill, 24, of Clarksville, TN was life flighted to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, TN. David Merrill, 63, of Clarksville, TN and the operator of the Nissan car, Dora Vega, were both transported to Tennova Medical Center in Clarksville, TN.

The investigation and reconstruction continues by Trooper Jacob Stephens.

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