A tragic single-vehicle accident on Dixie Highway in Walton claimed the life of a local man early yesterday morning. Lance E. Mathews, a 34-year-old from Walton, Kentucky was found deceased after his truck veered off the road, according to statements made by the Boone County Sheriff's Office. Deputies were dispatched to the scene near Logistics Boulevard around 6:59 a.m. and found Mathews trapped under his 2003 Ford F-150, reported WLWT.
The Boone County Coroner, Missy Rittinger, responded to the incident, confirming Mathews' identity. The sheriff's office is looking to piece together the cause of the crash, noting that the victim had been communicating with his girlfriend via text messages shortly before the accident. They disclosed that the final text was sent around 11:46 p.m. the previous night, indicating that the conversation abruptly ended just prior to the incident, as mentioned by Local12.
The sheriff's office is currently considering alcohol and distracted driving as possible contributing factors. During their investigation, deputies found that Mathews had texted his girlfriend that he was "going on a drive" and continued to communicate with her up until the crash. This was reflected in the reports from WCPO.
Further inquiries into the crash are ongoing, as officials seek to determine conclusively the circumstances that led to this unfortunate outcome. The Boone County Sheriff's Office has yet to release additional investigation details but reiterates the importance of road safety, especially the dangers of driving while distracted.
