The Highway Patrol is investigating what caused a woman to cross the centerline in her pickup truck colliding head on with a van. Both drivers died instantly in the 4:57pm crash Friday on Salem Church Road on a bridge over the US70 Bypass near Lane Tree Country Club.
Troopers said Grace Lane Edwards, 51, of Gurley Dairy Road, Pikeville was traveling south of Salem Church Road in a 2013 full size GMC pickup. A 2002 Ford E-350 van was traveling north and being operated by 58 year-old Jerry Lewis Davis of Falcon Drive, Pikeville.
Edwards’ truck cross the centerline and collided with Davis’ van head on fatally injuring both drivers. Witnesses said Edwards tried to avoid the oncoming truck and drove as far to the right as possible actually striking the guardrails just prior to the impact.
Troopers said the speedometer in Edwards mangled truck was stuck on 57mph. The speed limit for that section of Salem Church Road was 45mph.
According to an accident report, both drivers birthdates were April 13th. Photos by John Payne
