3 dead, 1 injured in Graves County crash

GRAVES COUNTY, Ky. (KBSI) – Three people died and one is in critical condition after a two-vehicle crash Saturday night in Graves County.

Around 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, March 2 the 911 dispatch at the Kentucky State Police Post 1 received 911 calls of a vehicle traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of Interstate 69 between US 45 and KY 131.

Deputies responded to the area.

A few moments later, dispatch began receiving 911 calls of a two vehicle, head on crash between the 26 and 27 mile marker of I-69.

Shirley Ballard, 68, of Mayfield mistakenly ramped her Chevrolet Trax on to the southbound lanes of Interstate 69 from US 45 traveling northbound in the southbound lanes, according to Graves County Sheriff’s deputies.

Ballard’s vehicle crashed in the area of Interstate 69 between the Hopewell Road overpass and KY 131 with a Toyota Corolla that was traveling southbound and was driven by Colten Blankenship, 21, of Vienna, Ill.

Blankenship was pronounced dead at the scene by the Graves County Coroner’s Office.

His two passengers, Alexander McLean, 18, of Eddyville, Ky., and Daniel Guasp, 22, of Nortonville, Ky., were taken from the scene by EMS and Lifeflight.

McLean was pronounced dead at Jackson Purchase Medical Center.

Guasp was taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Ballard was taken from the scene by EMS and then to a Memphis area hospital by Air Evac. Ballard was listed in critical condition.

Deputy Zac Smith is continuing the investigation into this crash.

Graves County Sheriff Jon Hayden, Deputy Greg Sloan, Deputy Chad Hall, Kentucky State Police troopers, Mayfield Fire Department, Mayfield/Graves County EMS, Mayfield Graves County Fire and Rescue Squad, Graves County Coroner’s Office, Graves County Emergency Management and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet – Department of Highways assisted.

Air Evac and Lifeflight based out of Henry County, Tenn. transported the patients to out of state medical centers.

Marrshall County EMS and KSP Post 1 Dispatch also assisted.  Marshall County provided mutual aid by sending an ambulance and a crew to the scene to assist. KSP Ddspatchers worked to get the help that was needed to the scene.

A gofundme account has been set up to raise money to help with funeral expenses.

Tap here for the the fund in memory of Colten Blankenship.

Tap here for the fund for Alex McLean Memorial Fund.