UPDATE: Jan. 14 at 11:45 a.m.
The Barbourville Police Department released details regarding the incident on Tuesday in which a vehicle struck a column of the Knox County Courthouse, resulting in the death of a teen.
Police reported that at around 5:50 a.m. on Tuesday, officers were called to an injury motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival, police reported that the 17-year-old driver was the only occupant of the vehicle and he had to be extracted from the vehicle.
Police determined that the teen was driving at a "high rate of speed" on Knox Street when the vehicle exited at the intersection of Court Square, striking the courthouse, according to police.
He was then taken to an area hospital where he died from injuries sustained in the crash, police added.
This accident is currently under investigation, police noted.
Original Story:
One person died after their vehicle left the roadway and struck a column of the Knox County Courthouse early Tuesday morning, according to The Big One WRIL.
WRIL reports that the driver succumbed to their injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials told WRIL that a "structural engineer will be checking the stability of the courthouse to make sure it is safe to enter."
Barbourville police and other first responders are investigating the scene.
No other information has been released at this time.
