Posted on Thu, May. 08, 2008

Eastbound lanes of I-24 reopened in W. Ky. after accident

The Associated Press

CADIZ, Ky. --

The eastbound lanes of Interstate 24 near Cadiz have reopened after a fatal accident.

Kentucky State Police dispatcher Shari Clapp says all eastbound lanes had reopened by late Thursday morning. The accident was reported at 8:38 a.m. CDT at the 59 milemarker, about 6 miles west of Cadiz.

Police say 54-year-old Ruth Choate of Princeton died in the accident after losing control of her Ford Expedition when she steered quickly to the left to avoid hitting a slower moving tractor-trailer. Police say her vehicle then entered the center median and overturned, ejecting Choate.

Police say Choate was pronounced dead at the scene and two passengers were airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. Police identified the passengers as 66-year-old Juanita Hollowell and 56-year-old Sylvia Hopper, both of Princeton.

Vanderbilt spokeswoman Ashley Hansen says both women are in stable condition.