A tragic workplace accident claimed the life of a young man Tuesday evening at a busy travel stop in Horse Cave, Kentucky. Kentucky State Police confirmed that a 28-year-old Park City man died after being accidentally struck by a truck he was working on, leaving family members, friends, and the local community in mourning.
According to Kentucky State Police, the incident happened at Love’s Travel Stop in Horse Cave. Investigators said Danny L. Pate, 28, was working on a truck when the vehicle unexpectedly ran over him. The circumstances surrounding how the truck moved have not yet been made public, but authorities described the incident as accidental.
Troopers were dispatched to the scene at approximately 7:22 p.m. Tuesday after receiving reports of a serious accident involving a pedestrian and a vehicle. Emergency responders arrived quickly and found Pate suffering from severe injuries. Despite efforts to assist him, Pate was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.
Love’s Travel Stop, a well-known stop for travelers and commercial truck drivers, was temporarily disrupted as law enforcement secured the area and began their initial investigation. Witnesses at the scene were reportedly shaken by the sudden and devastating nature of the incident, which unfolded during the evening hours when the location is often busy.
At this time, Kentucky State Police have not released additional details about what led to the truck moving or whether mechanical failure, human error, or other factors played a role. Authorities also have not said whether Pate was employed by Love’s Travel Stop or was performing maintenance work independently. Troopers noted that the investigation is still in its early stages.
The incident remains under investigation as officials work to determine exactly what happened. Pate’s death is a somber reminder of the dangers that can come with working around large vehicles, even during routine tasks. As investigators continue their work, the Park City and Horse Cave communities are left grieving the loss of a young man whose life was tragically cut short in an unexpected accident.
