Motorcycle Driver Killed in Collision on U.S. 119 in Letcher County
Published 9:41 p.m. Thursday, October 22, 2026
A motorcycle driver from Virginia was killed Thursday afternoon in a collision with a passenger vehicle on U.S. 119 near Mayking.
The crash occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m. near the mouth of Cooks Branch. The motorcycle, registered in Virginia, collided with a vehicle registered in Letcher County.
Authorities closed U.S. 119 for nearly three hours as they investigated the incident, reopening the highway just after 4 p.m. No additional details about the victim or the cause of the collision have been released. The investigation is ongoing.
In related news, Kayla Brummett, 27, of Coldiron, was arrested late Wednesday on multiple charges, including alcohol intoxication and failure to appear in court. Harlan County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Crider made the arrest around 11:43 p.m., and Brummett was booked at the Harlan County Detention Center with a bond set at $2,277.
Joseph Daniel Turner, 35, of Cawood, was arrested Thursday morning on a misdemeanor charge of contempt of court. He was booked at 10:18 a.m. at the detention center.
Robert Scott Middleton, 35, of Harlan, was also arrested for a probation violation on Wednesday night and booked at 10:05 p.m.
Additionally, Shane Bowling, 36, of Prestonsburg, faces charges of fourth-degree assault and probation violation, with a $1,500 cash bond set after his arrest by Harlan County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Smith.
Christopher Raleigh was recently jailed for fourth-degree assault and disorderly conduct after being arrested by Cumberland Police Officer Owen Noe.