By DEBBIE CALDWELL

News Editor

A fiery crash Thursday on U.S. 119 at Keith claimed the life of a Wallins man and another person was airlifted to Holston Valley Medical Center with serious injuries.

Kentucky State Police Det. Michael Cornett said that just after 6 a.m. a white 2001 Dodge 3500 truck operated by Jimmy L. Jones, 56, of Clairfield, Tenn., was traveling south and crossed the double yellow line and struck a blue 2008 Ford F-150 head-on in the northbound lane driven by Gary M. Lewis, 30, of Wallins.

Cornett said after initial impact, the Ford truck exited the northbound lane and became fully engulfed with fire and came to final rest facing south off the northbound shoulder of U.S. 119. The Dodge truck came to rest facing north in the northbound lane.

Jones was taken to Harlan ARH Hospital and later airlifted to Holston Valley Medical Center to be treated for his injuries. A nursing supervisor said Jones was listed in fair condition.

Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene by Harlan County Coroner Philip Bianchi.

The Harlan County and Harlan City fire departments responded to the scene and extinguished Lewis’ truck that burst into flames after impact. Lewis could not be rescued from the truck before it caught on fire.

Lewis’ truck, which contained his body, was taken to the Harlan County Rescue Squad building for privacy in removing him from the vehicle.

Members of the rescue squad and the Harlan City Fire Department assisted Bianchi in removing Lewis from the truck.

It was reported that the Wallins Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dean Green arrived at the scene and assisted in pulling Jones from his truck, in fear that his truck could possibly catch on fire also.

Members of the Loyall Fire Department and Harlan City Police Department officers assisted in rerouting traffic after the roadway had to be closed down for a while.

Some members of Lewis’ family said he was on his way to work in the coal mines at Lone Mountain Processing. Lewis leaves behind his parents, his wife, a daughter and two stepdaughters.

Cornett reconstructed the crash. He was assisted by KSP Sgt. Rob Farley, Det. Tim Hensley and troopers James Earl Hensley and Don Perry, Harlan EMS, LifeCare, State Fire Marshall Doug Neeley and Harlan County Emergency Management Director David McGill.