Longtime Central Kentucky couple killed when motorcycle couldn’t avoid truck
Those close to Melissa Kathryn Scott and Aaron Jamal Duke said they loved to ride their motorcycle. The couple’s favorite hobby turned fatal Tuesday evening when a truck turned in front of them, according to the Nicholasville Police Department.
Scott, 34, and Duke, 37, were on the motorcycle headed north on U.S. 27 when they crashed into a pickup truck, according to a news release from Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn. The collision happened where U.S. 27 meets Industry Parkway, Ginn said, and Duke was driving the motorcycle.
The truck driver, who turned in front of the motorcycle, failed to yield the right-of-way, according to Sgt. Kevin Grimes from the Nicholasville Police Department. Scott and Duke did not appear to be wearing helmets, Grimes said.
They were both taken to the emergency room at University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital, but died after arrival, Ginn said. The cause of death was multiple blunt force trauma.
Jessamine County 911 was alerted to the accident just before 5:30 p.m., Ginn said. Scott died just before 6:15 p.m., and Duke died a few minutes later, Ginn said.
“He loved getting on his motorcycle,” said Gordon Duke, Aaron’s brother. “His biggest hobby was his motorcycle. ... She loved that bike just as much as he loved that bike.”
Gordon said the two had dated for five or six years and everyone thought they were great for each other.
“Our family said he was one of the best things that happened to her, and likewise, we would say the same thing about her,” Gordon said.
Scott owned a cleaning business and had three children, Gordon said.
The Nicholasville Police Department shut down U.S. 27 northbound for several hours to investigate the collision, according to a Facebook post from the department.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete, and the Fayette County Coroner’s Office is investigating both deaths, Ginn said.
The Nicholasville Police Department was also investigating and will determine if any charges should be filed, Grimes said.
Jomi Scott, who said she’s Aaron Duke’s cousin, shared photos of the couple on Facebook after the accident.
Aaron worked in Lexington with Gordon at Sleepyhead Mattress & Furniture, which Gordon owned.
“We worked well together,” Gordon said. “We prided ourselves on good customer service, and he had really good people skills.”
Gordon said that Aaron was always in really high spirits. Aaron suffered from kidney failure and his body once rejected a kidney transplant, Gordon said. He took dialysis regularly for several years. But he always kept his spirits high despite the issues.
“He was always peppy and eager to talk,” Gordon said.
Gordon said he would continue running Sleepyhead Mattress & Furniture, but it would probably be shut down for a week.
This story was originally published May 13, 2020 at 10:54 AM.