On Friday, May 5, 2023 at 5:29pmCT, Adair County 911 started receiving multiple calls of a 3-vehicle collision with injuries 2 miles north of Columbia.
Upon arrival on scene by law enforcement, it was confirmed to dispatch that one patient had been ejected and was unresponsive. Officers also advised that one vehicle was on fire and all 3 lanes were blocked.
Preliminary investigation shows that Shondall Thorpe, 47, of Columbia, along with her passenger, Paul Thorpe, 32, was stopped in the left lane of KY 55 north. She was operating a 2004 Toyota 4 Runner and was waiting for traffic to clear so she could make a left turn into a local business.
32-year-old Brook Gains of Manchester, KY was traveling north on KY 55 in a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox, when she entered the left lane, which serves as a passing and turning lane, and failed to see that Thorpe was stopped awaiting to turn. Ms. Gains struck Thorpe in the rear and knocked her Toyota 4 Runner into the southbound lane of KY 55. When Thorpe’s vehicle entered the opposing southbound lane, it was struck head-on by a 2005 Chevrolet truck, operated by 17-year-old Alex Edwards, who had no time to react or try to avoid the collision.
Shondall Thorpe was ejected from the vehicle and came to rest 62 feet from where her vehicle came to rest.
The Adair County Fire Department cleared a landing zone in the roadway and Shondall Thorpe was airlifted from the scene to the University of Louisville Hospital with serious injuries.
The accident was investigated by K-9 Deputy Chandler Staten with assistance from Sheriff Josh Brockman.
Preliminary investigation shows that Shondall Thorpe, 47, of Columbia, along with her passenger, Paul Thorpe, 32, was stopped in the left lane of KY 55 north. She was operating a 2004 Toyota 4 Runner and was waiting for traffic to clear so she could make a left turn into a local business.
32-year-old Brook Gains of Manchester, KY was traveling north on KY 55 in a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox, when she entered the left lane, which serves as a passing and turning lane, and failed to see that Thorpe was stopped awaiting to turn. Ms. Gains struck Thorpe in the rear and knocked her Toyota 4 Runner into the southbound lane of KY 55. When Thorpe’s vehicle entered the opposing southbound lane, it was struck head-on by a 2005 Chevrolet truck, operated by 17-year-old Alex Edwards, who had no time to react or try to avoid the collision.
Shondall Thorpe was ejected from the vehicle and came to rest 62 feet from where her vehicle came to rest.
The Adair County Fire Department cleared a landing zone in the roadway and Shondall Thorpe was airlifted from the scene to the University of Louisville Hospital with serious injuries.
Her passenger, Paul Thorpe, was treated and released. All other parties, including a passenger with Edwards, 20-year-old Wesley Edwards, refused medical transport and sought treatment by private vehicle.
The accident was investigated by K-9 Deputy Chandler Staten with assistance from Sheriff Josh Brockman.
Responding agencies include Adair County Sheriffs Office, Columbia Police Department, Adair County EMS, Adair County Fire Department and Emergency Management.
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