Accident closes U.S. 50 for three hours

According to information from the Ripley County Sheriff's Office, an accident on US 50 near the Versailles State Park entrance caused the road to be shut down for about three hours on Saturday, April 23.

The call came in about 4:39 a.m. of a single vehicle accident. When deputies arrived they found a 1996 Toyota 4X4 pickup truck resting in a creek trapping both the driver, Kenneth W. Jackson III, 19, of Moores Hill, and a passenger Lucas W. Shelton, 23 of Dillsboro.

Police say the vehicle was westbound on US 50 when he crossed two eastbound lanes of traffic, left the south side of the roadway, went through a ditch, collided with a guardrail and struck a tree before landing in the creek.

Both the driver and passenger were treated for minor injuries and released from Margaret Mary Community Hospital according to police.

Assisting at the scene were Ripley County Medic, Versailles Fire/Extrication, Rescue 69 and Rescue 30.
The accident is still under investigation according to investigating officer Deputy Jason Dickerson.