Beattyville Man Killed in Single-Vehicle Crash on KY 715

Darren Johnson, 23, of Beattyville, was killed Sunday morning after the 2014 Kia Sorento he was driving crossed the centerline on KY 715 in the Pine Ridge community of Wolfe County and struck a tree, according to Kentucky State Police.

KSP Post 8 Morehead received notification of the single-vehicle fatal collision at approximately 10:30 a.m. on March 22 near the 1200 block of KY 715. Preliminary investigation indicates Johnson was traveling northbound when his vehicle crossed into the southbound lane, left the roadway, and hit the tree. Wolfe County Coroner Frank Porter pronounced Johnson deceased at the scene.

Two other occupants of the vehicle survived the crash. Rebecca Peters, 29, also of Beattyville, was airlifted from the scene to the University of Kentucky Hospital, where she was listed in critical condition. A 2-year-old child in the vehicle sustained only minor injuries and was transported to Kentucky River Medical Center in Jackson for treatment.

Wolfe County Sheriff's Department, Wolfe County Fire and EMS, and the Wolfe County Coroner's Office all assisted KSP at the scene. Trooper Alexander Watkins has been assigned as the lead investigating trooper, with Post-level reconstructionist Jordan Barnett assisting in the inquiry. No cause for why Johnson's vehicle crossed the centerline has been established; KSP has described the collision as ongoing under investigation.

Johnson was a Beattyville native, and his death has drawn an outpouring of grief from the local community. No charges or citations have been issued, and investigators have not publicly identified any contributing factors. Anyone with information about the crash is encouraged to contact KSP Post 8 Morehead.