DAVIESS COUNTY, KY — Authorities have identified the victim of a fatal single-vehicle crash that occurred early Saturday morning near the Daviess-Henderson county line as 34-year-old Ashley Stark of Owensboro.
The accident was reported around 5 a.m. in the 10400 block of U.S. Highway 60 West. When emergency crews arrived, they discovered a vehicle located roughly 30 feet off the roadway, along with a broken utility pole nearby. Tragically, Stark was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Daviess County Sheriff Brad Youngman, a preliminary investigation conducted by the department’s Accident Reconstruction Unit revealed that the vehicle had been traveling westbound when it veered off the road for unknown reasons. The car struck the utility pole and rolled over before coming to rest in a field, partially submerged in water.
Sheriff Youngman said investigators were able to piece together a timeline indicating that Stark had left her home approximately one hour before the crash was reported. Based on this information, authorities do not believe weather played a role in the accident.
“Our accident reconstruction team was able to confirm her whereabouts prior to the discovery of the crash scene,” Youngman said. “At first, we weren’t sure how long the vehicle had been there, which made weather a possible factor. But once the timeline was established, we ruled out weather as a direct contributor.”
The crash prompted the closure of U.S. Highway 60 in both directions for several hours as the Daviess County Fire Department, Stanley Fire Department, and Kenergy crews responded to the scene to replace the damaged utility pole. The road was expected to reopen by mid-morning.
The investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing.
Ashley Stark is remembered by those who knew her as a kind and vibrant member of the Owensboro community. As family and friends grieve this sudden loss, the community is rallying around them in support.
Further details will be released as the investigation progresses.