Kentucky State Police Investigates Fatal Collision on Interstate 65 in Bullitt County

SHEPHERDSVILLE, Ky. (August 15, 2026) – Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 4 troopers responded to a two-vehicle injury collision on Interstate 65 northbound at the 112-mile marker near Shepherdsville early this morning. Bullitt County Dispatch contacted KSP Post 4 just before midnight requesting troopers and an accident reconstructionist respond to investigate a fatal collision.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Luis Gonzalez Perez, 34, of Louisville, was operating a wrecker that had been hooked to a bobtail tractor parked on the shoulder of the roadway. The tractor was facing northbound, while the wrecker was facing southbound in order to transport the bobtail tractor. Perez attempted to make a U-turn across all three northbound lanes of Interstate 65 in order to travel northbound.

As the wrecker was turning northbound, it was struck by a 2007 Ford Focus operated by Shawn Franklin, 43, of North Carolina. Franklin sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to University of Louisville Hospital. He was pronounced deceased at University of Louisville hospital by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.

Perez was not injured and left the scene following the collision. Troopers and other law enforcement agencies are actively attempting to locate Perez. Charges are pending and will be forthcoming through the Bullitt County Attorney’s Office.

KSP Post 4 troopers were assisted at the scene by the Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office, Bullitt County EMS, Shepherdsville Police Department, Southeast Bullitt County Fire Department, Shepherdsville Fire Department and the Bullitt County Coroner’s Office. Trooper Jesse Harp is investigating the collision.

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