Crash claims one life

STAFF WRITER

A Floyd County woman was killed and a Pikeville woman was injured in a two-car accident that detoured traffic for nearly three hours in Prestonsburg Saturday.

The Prestonsburg Police Department reports that Barbara Wallace, 43, of Bob White Lane in Prestonsburg, died from internal injuries after the accident, which occurred on Ky. Rt. 114 in front of the Mountain Arts Center at approximately 11:07 a.m. Saturday.

There were reports that Wallace was ejected from the 2003 Olds Alero driven by her daughter, Elizabeth M. Wallace, but Tussey would not release that information Monday.

According to the report, Elizabeth M. Wallace, 16, was attempting to make a left turn onto Ky. Rt. 114 in front of the Mountain Arts Center when she pulled into the path of a 2006 Toyota driven by Cathy N. Francisco, of Oak Lane in Pikeville.

Barbara Wallace was pronounced dead at Highlands Regional Medical Center, where Francisco was treated and released for her injuries.

No seat belts were used in Wallace's vehicle, and charges are pending against her, investigating officer George Tussey said.

Officials do suspect that the use of alcohol or drugs was a factor in the accident, which is still under investigation. Tussey said he would present the case to the Floyd County Attorney to see what charges, if any, could be brought against Wallace.

No physical injuries were reported for Prestonsburg resident Edan Johnson, who was also a passenger in Wallace's vehicle and Pikeville resident Lauren Francisco, who was a passenger in the other vehicle.

Tussey is asking that witnesses who left the scene before being interviewed by officers call the Prestonsburg Police Department at (606) 886-1010 to give a statement about what they saw.