NKyTribune staff
Florence Police responded to the I75 southbound mile marker 182 at approximately 11:45 a.m., for an accident with extrication.
Photos provided by Florence Police Department
An accident on Interstate 71/75 Southbound in Florence Tuesday just before noon resulted in the death of a Union, Kentucky man and snarled traffic for hours.
According to a police report, a 2010 International Box Truck owned by M & M Services was being driven southbound on the interstate by James Pergrem, 53, of Owingsville, Kentucky, began experiencing mechanical issues.
The truck began to change lanes, and merged into the right lanes of travel. It was struck from behind by a 2008 Chevrolet work truck, owned by Owen Electric and driven by Callen Cheesman of Union. Cheesman, 50, was pronounced dead at the scene.
It took several hours to clear the scene and traffic was backed up past the cut-of-the-hill for a time.
The accident remains under investigation and anyone who may have witnessed it is asked to contact the Florence Police Department at (859) 647-5420 .
