Marked State Police Cruiser Strikes Car on KY 80 Near Hindman
A marked Kentucky State Police cruiser collided with a passenger car on KY 80 in the Hindman community on December 3, injuring two people who were taken to Hazard ARH for evaluation. The collision is under investigation and reconstruction by Post 13 personnel, and the incident raises local questions about vehicle movements and roadway safety during evening travel.
Troopers from Kentucky State Police Post 13 in Hazard responded on the evening of December 3 to a two vehicle collision on KY 80 in the Hindman area of Knott County. The crash occurred at about 5:19 p.m. as a marked KSP cruiser being driven to a garage for maintenance struck the rear bumper of a passenger car. The operator of the passenger car and a juvenile passenger were transported to Hazard ARH for possible minor injuries. The trooper in the cruiser was not injured.
Post 13 personnel are conducting an investigation and a reconstruction of the crash to determine contributing factors. The reconstruction process will examine vehicle positions, speeds, lighting and road conditions to establish what led to the rear end impact. Investigators will also review any departmental procedures that governed the movement of the cruiser to the maintenance facility.
The collision occurred during evening travel hours on a stretch of KY 80 that serves residents across Knott and neighboring counties, including commuters traveling to Hazard and surrounding communities. Local drivers and families should take note that even marked emergency vehicles are vulnerable to collisions when moved on public roads for routine purposes. The transport of emergency vehicles for maintenance is common, but this incident underscores the need for strict safety protocols and clear signaling when police vehicles are in transit.
For Perry County readers, the most immediate impacts are practical. Motorists who use KY 80 for work commutes, school transportation and local commerce may encounter periods of increased reconstruction activity during the investigation. Emergency responders from nearby jurisdictions often coordinate on such scenes, and community members can expect law enforcement to release additional information as the investigation concludes.
This event also touches on broader concerns about public safety and trust in routine operations carried out by law enforcement. A thorough and transparent reconstruction will be important to residents seeking clarity about how and why the crash happened, and to officials reviewing policies that govern non emergency movement of fleet vehicles on rural roadways.
