State police investigating fire department tanker truck crash

MARION COUNTY, Ky. – Kentucky State Police is investigating a single-vehicle crash in Marion County.

KSP Public Affairs Office Trooper Jonathan Houk says troopers responded to the crash at 4:17 pm (CDT) on Friday.

According to KSP’s preliminary investigation, a Raywick Fire Department 2008 International tanker truck, operated by firefighter Brian Hatt, 51, of Raywick, was traveling North on KY 537.

Hatt was responding to assist the Loretto Fire Department with a fire incident.

KSP says the vehicle dropped off the right shoulder of the roadway, causing the roadway to collapse.

Hatt lost control of the tanker truck, crossed the roadway, and exited the left side of the roadway. The tanker truck crashed into an earth embankment and overturned.

Hatt was ejected from the tanker truck, and a passenger, firefighter Leonard Winkler, 58, of Raywick, was entrapped.

Hatt was flown to the University of Louisville Hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.

Winkler was flown by helicopter to the University of Kentucky Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.