Patton dies in car crash

A Knott County man was killed this week in a two- vehicle crash near the Knott/Floyd county line.

According to a report from KSP Post 13 in Hazard, on November 26, 2012, at approximately 4:20 p.m. Kentucky State Police received a call of a collision on Hwy 550 in the Lackey community of Knott County.

Preliminary investigation indicated that a pickup truck operated by 89-year-old Nero Patton of Mousie crossed the center line and struck a vehicle operated by James Smith. Patton was not wearing a safety belt and was ejected from his vehicle.

Patton was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Knott County Coroner. Smith was air lifted from the scene to St. Marys Medical Center in Huntington, W.Va., where he was reported to be in fair condition. The investigation is continuing by Kentucky State Police.