KNOX COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — A Knox County teacher was killed Monday morning in a multi-vehicle crash in Barbourville.
Knox County Public Schools Superintendent Kelly Sprinkles said in a statement that Brian Justice, who was a teacher at Knox County Learning Academy, died in the accident.
Kentucky State Police said the crash occurred around 6:30 a.m. on Cumberland Gap Parkway at an intersection near the Walmart.
Officials said a black 2012 Volvo tractor trailer driven by 35-year-old Lerissa Hall of Bowling Green collided with a green 1999 Saturn driven by Justice. Police said Justice, 45, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Hall was not injured, authorities said. Drugs and alcohol were not suspected of being a factor in the crash, police added.
The crash remains under investigation.
Sprinkles said Justice had been with the district for two years after previously working in Tennessee. Justice also helped coach the Lynn Camp football team, Sprinkles said.
Allen Harris, head coach of Lynn Camp football, took to Facebook to express his grief.
The superintendent said counselors would be available Monday for students who need to talk.
Jeremy King, principal of alternative schools for KCPS, released the following statement:
“Brian was a crucial team member at the Knox Learning Academy. Brian always looked for new innovative ways to reach out to students. He was loved by the staff and students and was passionate about his work. Brian was an awesome employee and was willing to do anything needed to support the students and staff. Brian’s most important role was overseeing our dropout prevention program working one on one with our most at risk students. There are many students who without him would have never been able to graduate high school. He will have a special place in the hearts of the students and staff at the school.”
