Stalled Vehicle on I-24 is Struck by a Motorcycle – Leading to Second Collision Involving Three Vehicles

On Monday at 6:19 pm, the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a stranded motorist assist in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 24, on the Ohio River Bridge. While en route, the Sheriff’s Office was notified of an injury collision involving two motorcycles and the stranded motorist.

It was determined that a 2018 Subaru, driven by 44-year-old Tammy Blackwell of Calvert City, KY, was stalled/stopped in the right eastbound lane of the bridge due to a mechanical issue.

A 2002 Suzuki motorcycle was traveling eastbound in the right lane and collided with the stalled vehicle. The motorcycle was operated by 41-year-old Jeremy Gibbs of Metropolis, IL . He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of incapacitating injuries. A 2007 Suzuki motorcycle was also traveling in the eastbound lanes and the operator laid it down to avoid a collision. That motorcycle was operated by 32-year-old Dequita Gibbs of Metropolis, IL. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-incapacitating injuries.

After the initial collision, a secondary collision occurred in the left eastbound lane involving three vehicles.

A 2016 Honda Pilot was traveling eastbound, approaching the collision scene. The vehicle was operated by 23-year-old John Hangsterfer of Western Springs, IL. Hangsterfer moved to the left lane to avoid the initial collision.

A 2018 Chevy Traverse was traveling in the left eastbound lane and attempted to avoid striking the Honda Pilot. David Wing, 57-years-old of Maple Grove, MN, was operating the Traverse. Braden Wing, 18-years-old of Maple Grove, MN was a passenger in the vehicle along with Lynne Mcgurrin-Wing, 55-years-old of Maple Grove, MN.

A 2016 Hyundai Sonata was traveling in the left eastbound lane. The Sonata was unable to avoid a collision with the Traverse. A rear-end collision occurred and caused the Traverse to strike the Pilot. The Sonata was operated by 69-year-old David Kehl of Lynn Haven, FL. Joan Kehl, 67-years-old of Lynn Haven, FL, was a passenger in the vehicle.

There were no reported injuries in the secondary collision.

The McCracken County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Metropolis Police Department, Massac County EMS, Mercy Regional EMS, Concord Fire Department, Paducah Police Department, Paducah Fire Department, Larry Meadows Towing, and Jason’s Collision Center. McCracken County DES responded and assisted with traffic control as well.

The eastbound lanes of Interstate 24 were closed for approximately one hour to allow for the investigation and scene clean-up.