71-year-old Willisburg woman dies after Owen County crash involving deputy

OWENTON, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — The Kentucky State Police (KSP) is investigating after a 71-year-old woman died in a crash involving a deputy with the Owen County Sheriff’s Office (OSCO) on Friday.

KSP said it happened Friday afternoon on US 127 near the New Liberty Turnpike in Owen County. A preliminary investigation showed that Deputy Frank Blackwell, 31, of Glencoe was driving north on US 127 in a Chevrolet Tahoe with emergency lights and sirens on, in response to an overdose complaint.

A 2014 Subaru Forester driven by Kathleen Fresard, 71, of Willisburg, was also driving north on the same highway ahead of Deputy Blackwell and several other vehicles, per law enforcement.

As Deputy Blackwell tried to pass slower traffic, Fresard allegedly turned left into the path of his Tahoe, which authorities said resulted in the crash.

Fresard suffered life-threatening injuries and was reportedly taken to a helicopter landing zone where she died from her injuries. Deputy Blackwell was taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and was later released, per KSP.

The KSP Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) has been asked to help with the crash investigation, which remains ongoing.

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