PIKEVILLE, Ky. - The Pikeville Police Department is investigating a collision that claimed the life of an elderly Pikeville woman, who was an active volunteer for the Republican party.

According to a press release issued by the Pikeville Police Department, Velma Childers, 79, was pronounced dead at Pikeville Medical Center after the collision. The accident involving three vehicles occurred near the old Mullins School on U.S. 23 at 4:26 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9. Seven passengers had to be transported to Pikeville Medical Center, however Childers was the only fatality as a result of the collision.

The accident is still under investigation by the Pikeville Police Department.

Childers was friends with former president and first lady George and Laura Bush and worked on the campaigns of Republican office holders Rep. Hal Rogers and Sen. Mitch McConnell.

Visitation for Childers will be today at J.W. Call Funeral Home, with a funeral Saturday at First Baptist Church in Pikeville.