Fatal Collision in Henry County, KY

Victim ID'd

Campbellsburg, Ky (July 9th, 2018) – Kentucky State Police Post 5 is investigating a multiple vehicle collision on Interstate 71 that resulted in the death of one individual and injured at least two others.

At approximately 4:27 p.m. KSP Post 5 dispatch received a 911 call in reference to a multiple vehicle collision on Interstate 71, approximately at the 32 mile marker.  The preliminary investigation shows that for unknown reasons the operator, identified as Mark Banta, age 53, driving a passenger truck, exited the south bound lanes of the Interstate.  He then crossed the median into the northbound lanes of I-71, striking the driver’s side of a semi-truck that was traveling north bound.  As a result of the first event, a second passenger vehicle also traveling north bound, veered into the median in an attempt to avoid colliding with Mr. Banta’s passenger truck.  The second passenger vehicle then traveled into the south bound lanes colliding with two other vehicles in the process. 

The preliminary investigation shows the operator of the passenger truck was not wearing his seat belt and was ejected during the collision.  Mr. Banta was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Henry County Coroner. Next of kin has been notified.  All lanes in both directions of I-71 were closed for approximately four hours due to the multiple vehicles involved during the collision.  The collision is currently still under investigation by the Kentucky State Police.