The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal traffic crash that occurred at 9:11pm Monday on State Route 41 near Flakes Ford Road in Union Township.
32-year-old Blake A. Rife of Washington Court House was driving south on Route 41, when he lost control of the vehicle, traveled off the left side of the roadway striking a utility pole and a tree. A small fire erupted upon the vehicle colliding with the tree but was extinguished as first responders arrived at the scene.
Rife was the sole occupant in the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Fayette County Coroner’s Office. State Route 41 between Flakes Ford Road and Anderson Road remained closed for several hours during the crash investigation.
The sheriff reports that speed was a factor in the crash.