Staff Reports

PIKEVILLE, Ky. - One man is dead after a fiery accident involving two large trucks. The accident happened a couple miles south of Shelby Valley High School on U.S. Route 23 in Pike County.

State Police say one truck hit another causing it to flip and burst into flames.

They say the driver of the truck that caught fire, Barry Johnson, 47, was killed on impact, according to the Coroner.

Witnesses say when Johnson came around the corner, another car was stopped trying to make a left turn and Johnson swerved into the right lane to miss that car.

The other truck then hit Johnson’s truck causing it to flip and catch fire.

Monica Newsome witnessed the crash.

“We were really worried so we got everybody out and got them away because we were afraid it was going to blow, but it looks like the other 18-wheeler hit him, knocked him, and as soon as it flipped over it caught on fire,” Newsome said.

The driver of the other tractor-trailer was taken to Pikeville Medical Center with minor injuries.

The accident is being investigated by Kentucky State Police.