Man dead, three hospitalized in Graves County crash

GRAVES COUNTY, Ky. -- A man died in a car crash Friday that also sent three people to local hospitals.

The Graves County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene of the wreck at around 3:55 Friday afternoon. The office received 911 calls alerting them of the situation at the intersection of KY 440 and KY 408 West. This is about two miles South of the Lowes Community.

Deputies who arrived on the scene reported two cars were involved in the crash. An official release from the sheriff's office described what they believe to be the events surrounding the crash.

The release says that Robert L. Garner, 80, of Advance, Mo., drove westward on KY 408 in a 2014 Ford Pickup Truck with a single-axel trailer attached. Coming north on KY 440, Christian Taylor, 16, of Lowes, drove a 2016 Toyota minivan.

According to the release, Garner turned onto KY 440 in the same direction as Taylor. The two vehicles reportedly crashed and slid off the road to the northwest side. The cars knocked a powerline pole in half. Garner's truck was found at rest on the driver's side. Both vehicles were in a field off the road.

The Graves County Coroner's Office declared Garner dead on the scene. His passenger, Margaret Garner, 80, of Advance, Mo., was sent to Baptist Hotel in Paducah for minor injuries.

Taylor, meanwhile, suffered minor injuries and was brought to Jackson Purchase Medical Center. His mom, Carrie P. Taylor, 43, was also in the car. She reportedly suffered more serious injuries. Medical officials rushed her to the nearby old Lowes Elementary School where Air Evac flew her to the Skyline Hospital in Nashville, TN.

Officials say portions of the road were brought down to one lane or closed until 9:21 p.m. The powerline pole was fixed during this time.

The investigation is ongoing under Chief Deputy Jeremy Prince. Sheriff Jon Hayden, Sgt. Richard Edwards, Detective Sgt. Snapper Seaton, Deputy Chad Hall, Mayfield/Graves County EMS, the Mayfield Fire Department, Mayfield/Graves County Fire & Rescue Squad, Graves County Emergency Management, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet �� Department of Highways, Jackson Purchase Electric, the Graves County Coroner’s Office and the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office also helped on the scene.

The sheriff's office also recognized the citizens in the area of the crash for their help and water.