On Sunday, July 11, 2021 at 9:51 a.m., Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Brandon Hitch received a dispatch, from Adair County 911, of a injury collision approximately 4 miles northeast of Columbia on KY 551.
Upon arrival, Deputy Hitch found that two vehicles had collided with multiple patients, one with very critical injuries.
Preliminary investigation shows that unit 1, a 2000 Toyota sedan, operated by Rebecca Barnett, 46 of Adair County, was traveling west toward Columbia when she headed into a long right banking curve.
It appears that her car broke traction, in the rear on the rain slick roads and began to go into a skid sideways through the curve.
As the rear end was coming around, the vehicle slid into the oncoming lane.
Unit 2, a 2016 Chevrolet pickup, operated by Mark Willis, 57 of Columbia, was traveling east on the roadway.
Barnett’s vehicle slid into the path of Willis’ vehicle. He was unable to avoid the collision and the Chevrolet truck struck the Toyota in the drivers side of vehicle.
Upon arrival, Adair County EMS began life saving measures on Barnett and continued those measures as they transferred the patient to TJ Health Columbia.
Approximately one hour from time of the collision, Barnett succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased in the Emergency Room.
The operator of unit 2, Mark Willis, and his passengers, Deborah Willis , Holly Loy, Alex Loy and Andrew Loy, were all treated on scene by Adair County EMS and transported to the hospital for injuries received in collision.
The Adair County Sheriff’s Office, Adair County EMS, Columbia-Adair County Fire Deptment and Constable Jason Rector all responded to the scene.
