Troopers seeking man after fatal crash in Bullitt County

SHEPHERDSVILLE, Ky. – A man is being sought by law enforcement after reportedly leaving the scene of a fatal crash in Bullitt County.

According to the Kentucky State Police, troopers were requested just before midnight Saturday to investigate a fatal two-vehicle collision on Interstate 65 northbound at the 112-mile marker near Shepherdsville.

Troopers say a preliminary investigation shows 34-year-old Luis Gonzalez Perez of Louisville was driving a wrecker hooked to a bobtail tractor parked on the shoulder of the roadway.

Authorities say the tractor was facing northbound, while the wrecker was facing southbound to transport the tractor.

According to troopers, Perez tried to make a U-turn across all three northbound lanes of I-65 to travel northbound.

During this time, authorities say the wrecker was struck by a Ford Focus driven by 43-year-old Shawn Franklin of North Carolina. Authorities say Franklin sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to University of Louisville Hospital.

He was pronounced dead at the hospital by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.

Perez was not injured and left the scene following the crash, authorities say.

Law enforcement agencies are working to locate Perez. Charges are pending and will be forthcoming, according to authorities.

Troopers were assisted on scene by the Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office, Bullitt County EMS, Shepherdsville Police Department, Southeast Bullitt County Fire Department, Shepherdsville Fire Department and the Bullitt County Coroner’s Office.

The investigation remains ongoing.