Fatal accident on Hwy 21

A tragedy occurred on Big Hill Rd. Tuesday evening, when a young mother was killed in a car accident after losing control on the curve past Indian Fort Theater, according to Deputy Willard Reardon of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Melissa Horn, 25, was traveling with her three children in a Ford Ranger pick-up towards Berea when she started skidding on the wet streets. According to the police report, she apparently overcorrected and hit a white van head-on that was traveling east towards Jackson County. The sheriff’s office was dispatched to the scene at approximately 5 p.m.

Horn, a Jackson County resident, had her 4, 7, and 8-year old in the vehicle with her. She was pronounced dead by the Madison County Coroner Jimmy Cornelison at the scene of the accident. All three of her children were transported to the University of Kentucky Medical Center, and are listed in critical condition.

Cowley Lewis, 62, was driving a white van, and was also transported to UK Hospital for injuries. Lewis, who lives in McKee, ended up with the van resting on its side. He is also listed as in critical condition.

KY 21 was closed for approximately three hours on Tuesday night after the accident. Motorists were rerouted to Shortline Pike who were heading east.