The Logan County Sheriff’s Department has issued the following report on the collision on four-landed U.S. 68-80, which claimed the life of Russellville’s Phillip Hatchett and injured three other men.
Around 7:24 a.m. Sunday the Logan County Sheriff's Office responded to an accident with injuries at the 5 mile marker on 68 West (Hopkinsville Road).
Robert Stokes, 27, of Elkton, was driving a 1995 Jeep Cherokee westbound, when the vehicle approached six cyclists, also traveling westbound, in the emergency lane.
According to Stokes, before he could check his mirrors and get into the left lane, the vehicle collided with the rear bicycle, which was traveling on the white fog line at the time of impact, according to visible tire marks from the bicycle.
The operator of the rear bicycle, Phillip Hatchett, 55, of Russellville, was pronounced deceased at the scene by Logan County Coroner Mary Givens.
Three other cyclists were also injured; 62-year-old Morris Lynn Kisselbaugh, 28-year-old Patrick Christmas and 26-year-old Phillip Christmas, all of Russellville. Craig Beadnell and Keith Baker were riding with the group, but not injured.
The investigation is ongoing.
The LCSD was assisted at the scene by the Russellville Police Department, Logan County EMS, Russellville Rural Fire Department and Coroner Givens.