Gary Wright, Tami Jo Hawkins Death News – Authorities have identified the victims of a serious four-vehicle crash that occurred over the weekend on Dixie Highway, resulting in two fatalities. The incident happened around 9:50 a.m. Sunday in the 12000 block of Dixie Highway, and involved multiple vehicles traveling in both northbound and southbound lanes, according to local police.
Upon arrival, officers found that the crash had involved four vehicles in total, with damage extending across both directions of traffic. Preliminary reports from the scene indicate that the sequence of events began when the first vehicle, traveling southbound, attempted to change lanes and collided with a second vehicle. The impact caused the first vehicle to cross into the northbound lanes, where it struck a third vehicle. The third vehicle was subsequently pushed into a fourth northbound vehicle. The initial vehicle came to a stop after striking a utility pole, leaving the wreckage spread across the highway.
Tragically, the drivers of the first and third vehicles died as a result of the crash. Authorities have identified the deceased as 77-year-old Gary Wright of Owensboro and 63-year-old Tami Jo Hawkins of West Point. It has not yet been clarified which victim was driving which vehicle. Both fatalities were determined to have died from blunt force injuries sustained during the collision.
The occupants of the second vehicle, which was initially struck by the southbound car, escaped the crash without injury. Likewise, the driver of the fourth vehicle involved in the northbound lane collision was not hurt. Despite the severity of the crash, no charges have been filed at this time, and the investigation is ongoing. Police are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the chain reaction that led to the fatalities and are examining whether any traffic violations or other factors contributed to the collision.
The crash caused significant disruption in the area, with Dixie Highway closed for several hours to allow emergency personnel and investigators to process the scene. Preliminary investigation efforts included documenting the positions of the vehicles, gathering witness statements, and assessing roadway conditions. Once initial investigation work was completed, the highway was reopened to traffic.
Authorities continue to urge drivers to exercise caution on busy roadways and remain attentive to lane changes, as failure to maintain proper control of a vehicle can have cascading and potentially deadly consequences. This crash highlights the risks posed by sudden lane changes and multi-vehicle interactions on major highways, particularly during periods of heavy traffic.
Investigators have not yet released additional details regarding potential contributing factors such as speed, road conditions, or mechanical issues. The coroner’s office has provided identification of the deceased victims, and law enforcement continues to work on reconstructing the incident. Residents and drivers in the area are reminded to remain vigilant and cautious, as the investigation into this tragic event remains active.
