Auburn man dies following Friday crash on I-65

Published 3:22 pm Saturday, April 15, 2017

A three-vehicle collision Friday night on Interstate 65 involving a burning vehicle and an overturned SUV killed an Auburn man and left several people injured, according to Kentucky State Police.

Timothy Babbs, 56, of Auburn, died Saturday night at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, where he had been airlifted Friday for treatment following the crash, according to KSP.

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Babbs’ 1992 Buick stalled Friday night in the outside southbound lane of Interstate 65, according to KSP. Babbs’ vehicle was then struck by a 1997 Lincoln driven by Timothy Parker, 54, of Flat Rock, Ala. The collision caused Babb’s vehicle to ignite. Parker’s vehicle was then struck by a 2017 Toyota SUV driven by Jill Whitman, 42, of Sylvania, Ohio. The SUV overturned and came to rest on its roof.

Babbs’ passenger, 54-year-old Jacqueline Buckner of Auburn, was taken to The Medical Center for injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Parker sustained minor injuries, according to KSP, and wasn’t taken to a medical facility from the scene.

Whitman and a 54-year-old passenger, Richard Whitman of Sylvania, Ohio, sustained minor injuries and were not taken to a medical facility. However, two juvenile passengers were taken to The Medical Center for injuries not considered life-threatening. A third juvenile passenger was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the SUV. That passenger was taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.

The investigation is led by KSP Trooper Bartley Weaver. He was assisted on the scene by Trooper Daniel Priddy, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, the Bowling Green Police Department, The Medical Center EMS, Air Methods, the Alvaton Volunteer Fire Department and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.