Neff, Ky. (August 18, 2016) – Kentucky State Police Post 10 in Harlan is investigating a two-vehicle collision that has claimed the life of a Cawood man. The crash occurred on S US Highway 421 in the Neff community of Harlan County shortly after 5:30 pm Thursday evening.
According to the investigation, Rostin Bray Jr, age 68, was sitting on the southbound shoulder of US 421. Ronnie Madewell, age 64, of Harlan was operating a 1999 Dodge Truck, also traveling south on US 421. Mr. Bray attempted to make a U-turn across 421 to go back northbound, when he turned into the path of the truck. The 2000 Ford Taurus driven by Mr. Bray was struck in the driver’s side. Both vehicles came to rest on the SB shoulder.
Ronnie Madewell was uninjured, however a passenger in his vehicle, Hobert Madewell, age 58 of Harlan, Mr. Bray and his passenger, Brian Green, age 44, also of Cawood, were all transported to Harlan ARH by EMS personnel. Mr. Bray was pronounced deceased in the Emergency Room. The conditions of Hobert Madewell and Mr. Green were unavailable at the time of this release.
Traffic was stop and go for nearly three hours as KSP Collision Reconstructionist, Master Trooper Michael H. Cornett reconstructed the scene. At this time the investigation is ongoing. Mtr. Cornett was assisted on scene by troopers Taylor Mills, Andy Soltess and Rodney Sturgill and KSP Sgt. Danny Caudill. Johnson’s Life-Care EMS and Harlan EMS also assisted at the scene.
Mtr. Cornett is in charge of this investigation.
