Cynthiana couple wreck in Grant

A Cynthiana man died after his SUV rolled over a 300-foot embankment in Williamstown on Jan. 12.

Kenneth R. Sipes, 68, and his wife, Peggy Sipes, 60, were traveling north on Interstate -75, near the 154 mile marker, when their 2005 Dodge Durango crossed into the path of a 2008 Impala.

Bronson McDowell told police he had no choice but to hit the Durango when it crossed from the right lane into the center lane in front of him.

Sipes Durango overturned numerous times, but McDowells Impala stayed upright and slid to the bottom of the steep embankment.

It rolled so many times, were not sure how many, said Williamstown Fire Chief Les Whalen.

The Durango rolled across a ravine and came to rest on large rocks while the Impala stopped in the drainage ditch. All were wearing their seat belts and air bags deployed on the Durango.

Darren Graham, a flight paramedic in Frankfort was traveling north when the wreck occurred. He stopped to assist. Graham is also the director of operations for TransCare Ambulance Service, which serves part of Grant County.

Firefighters from Williamstown and Dry Ridge removed Peggy Sipes from the wreckage, where she was taken by TransCare to St. Elizabeth Medical Center Grant County and later flown by helicopter to the University of Kentucky Medical Center. She is listed in critical but stable condition.

McDowell was not injured.

We were able to put the back seat down and remove her from the vehicle that way, said Whalen. It was difficult getting back up that hill.

Whalen said the area where the wreck occurred did not have guardrails.

Its possible the vehicles might not have gone over the embankment if guard rails were there, Whalen said.

Kenneth Sipes was pronounced dead at the scene by Grant County Coroner Marylee Willoby.

An autopsy was performed and results are pending.

It doesnt appear that he had a heart attack and I dont suspect drugs or alcohol were involved, said Willoby.

Willoby said the Sipes were traveling to Northern Kentucky for a family function when the wreck occurred. They may have been coming from one of their childrens homes in Georgetown.

The road was closed for a couple of hours while police utilized the Williamstown fire departments aerial truck to take photos of the accident scene.

Detective Kevin Flick and Trooper Chad Mills, accident reconstructionists with the Kentucky State Police, and Deputy Rick Kells with the Grant County Sheriffs Department are continuing the investigation.

The Sipes family had not made any funeral arrangements as of press time. However, Johnson Funeral Home in Georgetown will be in charge of arrangements.