Kentucky's road were a lot safer in 2008, as were the more than 400 miles of roadways in Crittenden County. Only two traffic fatalities occurred in the county in 2008, down significantly from the five killed in 2007.John Stuart Baker Jr., of Florida died Jan. 17 in a one-vehicle accident on U.S. 60 east of Marion after fleeing police in a stolen vehicle from Louisville. On Sept. 26, Teddie Davenport, 56, of Dycusburg became the second fatality when he died four days after an accident on Ky. 295 south of Dycusburg.
Across Kentucky, the number of traffic fatalities was down from the previous year. Only 816 were reported killed on Kentucky roads during 2008, as compared to 864 in 2007. In fact, 2008 deaths were the fewest since 791 in 1994. So far in 2009, only four people had been killed on roadways through Jan. 5.
This story was among the top 10 news stories from 2008 in Crittenden County, according to The Crittenden Press' annual look back at the year that was. A recap of this year's top stories can be found this week's edition of the newspaper.
Also on tap for this week, Marion police are investigating a break-in at a Marion pharmacy, users of the USDA Farm Service Agency in Marion and the office of Rural Development in Paducah will soon have to make treks to new locations to conduct business, a Crittenden County couple is recovering from the loss of their home to a fire, the U.S. Census Bureau is looking for local workers and a 43-year fixture at The Peoples Bank has retired. Also, the first Crittenden Press of 2009 will take a look back at those we lost in 2008.
