The Adair County community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of two residents following a devastating two-vehicle collision that claimed the lives of Wayne Werth, 56, of Columbia, and Gavin Carlson, 16, of Breeding. The fatal crash occurred Friday afternoon in the Breeding community, leaving family members, friends, and neighbors grieving the sudden deaths of both drivers.
According to authorities, Adair County 911 received reports of the collision at approximately 4:40 p.m. near the intersection of Burkesville Road and Blue Ridge Circle. Initial callers advised dispatchers that both vehicles contained trapped occupants. Members of the Breeding Area Volunteer Fire Department arrived within minutes and discovered both drivers unresponsive and heavily entrapped inside their vehicles.
A preliminary investigation by the Kentucky State Police revealed that Werth was driving a 2018 Cadillac XT5 southbound on Highway 61 when the vehicle crossed the centerline and entered the northbound lane. The Cadillac then collided with a 2008 Jeep Liberty driven by Carlson. Witnesses reported that Carlson attempted evasive steering maneuvers in an effort to avoid the crash, but the collision could not be prevented.
The Adair County Coroner responded to the scene and pronounced both drivers deceased. Firefighters from the Breeding Area Volunteer Fire Department and the Columbia-Adair County Volunteer Fire Department worked diligently to extricate the victims from the wreckage.
The roadway remained closed for approximately four hours as emergency personnel conducted their investigation. Senior Trooper Trevor Sagrecy is leading the ongoing investigation into the tragic incident that has deeply impacted the Adair County community.
Leave a Reply