DAVIES COUNTY, Ky. – Authorities have identified 31-year-old Joseph Prater of Reynolds Station as the victim of a fatal crash that occurred early Wednesday morning on KY 144 in the Ensor community.
According to the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), the deadly collision happened around 5:30 a.m. in the 8500 block of KY 144, near Botelor Road. Prater, who was driving a pickup truck westbound, was struck head-on by an eastbound SUV driven by 33-year-old Charles Mattingly of Owensboro. The impact proved fatal for Prater, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mattingly sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to the University of Louisville Hospital for emergency treatment. No passengers were in either vehicle, and no other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Multiple agencies responded, including the Daviess County Fire Department, Knottsville Fire Department, AMR Ambulance Service, and the Daviess County Coroner’s Office. The DCSO Accident Reconstruction Unit is conducting a detailed investigation into the crash, reviewing roadway conditions and other contributing factors. Officials have not yet determined the exact cause.
Due to the severity of the incident, KY 144 was shut down for several hours while crews assisted victims and collected evidence. Traffic was detoured at Pleasant Valley Road and Botelor Road before the highway reopened around 8 a.m.
The loss of Prater has left his Reynolds Station community grieving, as head-on collisions remain one of the deadliest types of roadway accidents. Authorities are reminding drivers to stay alert and cautious, particularly on rural highways during early morning hours when visibility may be reduced.
The investigation remains ongoing, and updates on Mattingly’s condition are expected as more details are released. For now, the community’s focus remains on mourning the tragic loss of Joseph Prater and supporting his family during this difficult time.
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