Lashona Reyes Hospitalized After Two-Car Crash on I-169 Near Pembroke Road Exit in Christian County
CHRISTIAN COUNTY, KY – A Sunday night traffic collision on Interstate 169 near the Pembroke Road exit sent one woman to the hospital and left two vehicles damaged in a wreck that underscores the dangers of nighttime highway travel.
According to the Christian County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred just before 9:00 p.m. on the southbound lanes of I-169. Authorities report that 39-year-old Lashona Reyes was driving southbound when she lost control of her vehicle, which then struck a guardrail. The impact was severe enough to disable her vehicle’s lighting system, leaving the car dark and less visible to oncoming traffic.
Moments later, a second southbound vehicle, driven by 33-year-old Nicole Phelps, collided with the rear of Reyes’s car. Deputies say Phelps did not see Reyes’s vehicle in time to avoid the crash, largely due to the absence of working lights on the disabled car after the initial collision.
Emergency responders from Hopkinsville EMS were dispatched to the scene, where Reyes was found in need of medical assistance. She was stabilized at the scene and transported to Jennie Stuart Health in Hopkinsville for further evaluation and treatment. Authorities have not disclosed the full extent of her injuries, but they are believed to be non-life-threatening.
Nicole Phelps did not report any serious injuries at the scene, and she declined transport to the hospital. Both vehicles sustained significant damage and were towed from the interstate.
Traffic in the area was slowed for more than an hour as sheriff’s deputies, fire crews, and emergency medical services worked to clear the scene, conduct their investigation, and ensure the safety of other motorists. The southbound lanes of I-169 were partially closed during the cleanup, but have since reopened.
Deputies are continuing to investigate the cause of the initial crash. Weather conditions at the time were clear, and no mechanical defects have yet been reported. It’s currently unknown if speed or distraction played a role in either collision.
The Christian County Sheriff’s Office reminds drivers to exercise caution, especially when traveling at night, and to move their vehicles to a safe location if they are involved in an accident and it is possible to do so. Hazard lights and reflective triangles or flares can be vital in alerting other motorists to a stopped vehicle, particularly in low-visibility conditions.
No citations have been issued at this time, pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.