Kentucky State Police Post 4 Investigates Injury Collision on the Bluegrass Parkway

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (February 16, 2026) –The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 4 is investigating a two-vehicle injury collision that occurred Monday night on the Bluegrass Parkway in Hardin County.

On February 16, 2026, at approximately 9:26 p.m. EST, KSP troopers responded to a collision near the 7 mile marker. The preliminary investigation indicates two commercial vehicles were traveling eastbound when the operator of the first tractor-trailer, Manual Ostos Paxtian, 41, of Moss, Tennessee, attempted to make an illegal U-turn using an emergency turnaround to attempt to travel westbound. A second eastbound tractor-trailer, operated by Charles Penn, 67, of Union Springs, Alabama, attempted to avoid the first vehicle but was unable to do so and struck it.

As a result of the collision, one of the tractor-trailers caught fire and was completely destroyed by the fire. The second tractor-trailer then overturned in the westbound lanes of the Bluegrass Parkway. Paxtian sustained minor injuries and was transported to Baptist Health Hardin hospital for treatment. Penn was not injured in the collision. 

Both eastbound and westbound lanes of the Bluegrass Parkway are closed at this time as the tractor trailers are being recovered and for roadway cleanup. 

KSP is being assisted at the scene by the Valley Creek Fire Department, Boston Fire Department, Central Hardin Fire Department, Lebanon Junction Fire Department, and Hardin County EMS.

The collision remains under investigation by Trooper Trevor Vandermolen. 

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