The site where four people were killed in an accident Friday evening can be seen in this photograph, with material from the road clean-up process still visible. The accident occurred just a few feet from a sign that designates the beginning of a No Passing Zone, looking in an eastern direction near the intersection of Ky. 90 and Hwy. 1590. Authorities say the accident occurred when the east bound vehicle pulled into the west-bound lane in order to attempt to pass another vehicle, striking an oncoming van head-on.

The Christmas holiday period turned tragic on the roadway and left many in our community in mourning late last week.

Four people, including three from one family, were left dead last Friday afternoon, December 17 in one of the most tragic vehicle accidents to occur in Clinton County in recent memory.

One five-year old child, a member of the family that was killed, survived the horrific crash and was recovering at a Lexington hospital. A fourth victim in the wreck was a Bowling Green resident.

According to a press release by the Kentucky State Police, Post 15 at Columbia, the collision occurred at approximately 3:40 p.m. last Friday, six miles west of Albany on Kentucky Hwy. 90.

The report said that a red 2000 Chevy pickup, operated by 54-year-old Ricky Brinkley of Bowling Green, was traveling eastbound on KY 90 when he attempted to overtake another vehicle and struck a westbound 1999 Plymouth van head-on in the westbound lane. Brinkley was pronounced deceased at Clinton County Hospital.

The van was operated by 36-year-old David Moreland. He and one of his passengers, 25-year-old Amanda Moreland, both of Albany were both pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Another passenger, 7-year-old McKenzie Moreland, of Albany, was pronounced dead at Clinton County Hospital.

A third passenger in the Moreland vehicle, 5-year-old Haylee Moreland, was transported from the scene to the local hospital and transferred to University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington where she was listed in stable condition the day following the wreck.

All of the victims were pronounced dead by Clinton County Coroner Steve Talbott.

According to the accident report, alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the collision and no seatbelts were in use in either vehicle.

The accident in under investigation by Trooper David Long.

Trooper Long was assisted at the scene by additional units from Post 15, Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, Clinton and Cumberland County Fire, EMS and rescue personnel.