POWELL COUNTY, Ky. — A heartbreaking crash on the Mountain Parkway claimed the life of James R. Gabbard, 49, of Hazel Green, on Saturday morning, leaving his family, friends, and community reeling with grief.
Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 8 in Morehead reported that Powell County Dispatch requested assistance just after 8:00 a.m. following a single-vehicle accident near the 33-mile marker of the parkway.
Preliminary findings revealed that Mr. Gabbard was driving eastbound when his vehicle suddenly veered off the roadway, struck a roadside embankment, and overturned. Despite a rapid response from first responders, the collision proved fatal.
Powell County Coroner Megan Wells-Curtis pronounced Mr. Gabbard deceased at the scene. Emergency crews from the Middlefork Fire Department, Powell County Sheriff’s Office, Powell County EMS, and other local agencies assisted KSP in managing the scene.
Trooper Austin Miller is leading the ongoing investigation to determine what factors may have contributed to the deadly crash.
For the Hazel Green community, the sudden loss of James Gabbard is more than a police report — it is the loss of a neighbor, a friend, and a loved one. Known for his hardworking nature and warm personality, he touched many lives, and his absence will leave a lasting void.
This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the dangers present on Kentucky’s roadways. As investigators work to piece together the events that led to the accident, those who knew Mr. Gabbard are coming together to grieve and support one another during this time of unimaginable loss.
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