Three Hospitalized after Haddix Wreck

Three Jackson residents were airlifted to the University of Kentucky Medical Center on Thursday after a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Highway 15 South and Highway 1110.

According to witnesses and official reports, Elmer Bowling, 78 of Jackson, was driving south on Highway 15 in a 2006 Maroon Chevy Impala with his wife, Linda Bowling, and grandson, Joseph A. Bowling, 22.  As his vehicle neared the intersection of Highway 1110, a white Ford F-250, owned by the Kentucky Division of Water and driven by thirty-four-year-old Harold D. Black, of Lawrenceburg, attempted to turn left onto 1110 and crossed into the path of Bowling’s Buick in the southbound lane.

The force of the impact caused severe injuries to all three occupants of Bowling’s vehicle and minor injuries to the truck driven by Black.  Seven were transported to area hospitals, including four to Hazard and the Bowlings to Jackson.

Witnesses reported that it took ambulances more than 45 minutes to arrive on the scene.

Elmer, Linda, and Joseph Bowling were airlifted from the Kentucky River Medical Center to the University of Kentucky, where Linda Bowling, 74, underwent two emergency surgeries for internal injuries.  Elmer Bowling underwent major surgery on Sunday morning.  Joseph Bowling received several broken bones and abdominal injuries.

According to the investigation, Black told officials he was attempting to turn onto Highway 1101 when he saw Bowling’s vehicle heading south.  Black said he “attempted to correct to avoid the collision” but could not do so.  The impact totaled both vehicles and blocked the turn lanes and a portion of the intersection at Highway 1110 and Highway 15 for more than two hours.

Black’s Ford F-250 was removed from the scene by KTK Towing, and the Impala was taken to Jackson by R & J Towing.

The three Bowlings remain at the A. B. Chandler Medical Center at the University of Kentucky.  According to a Facebook post by their son on Tuesday, May 20, all three are recovering but “have a long road ahead.”

The accident remains under investigation by the Kentucky State Police at Post 13 in Hazard