BRANDENBURG, Ky. (June 1, 2025) – Kentucky State Police (KSP) responded to a two-vehicle collision in Meade County Saturday night that resulted in a fatality and injured two other people.
On May 31, at approximately 11:15 P.M. EDT, KSP Post 4 received a call from the Meade Co. Sheriff’s Office requesting KSP investigate a two-vehicle collision near the 4100 block of Payneville Road in Meade County.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Robert Eldridge, 20, of Battletown, was operating a 2014 Ford Mustang westbound on KY 144 when he attempted to pass another vehicle before striking a 2025 Toyota Tacoma head-on in the eastbound lane. The Toyota was being operated by John Kaw, 44, of Louisville.
Eldridge was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Meade Co. Coroner’s Office. Kaw and a passenger in Eldridge’s vehicle were flown to the University of Louisville Hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.
The affected portion of KY-144 was closed for several hours to allow troopers to reconstruct the collision. KSP Post 4 was assisted at the scene by the Meade Co. Sheriff’s Office, Meade Co. EMS, Payneville Fire Department, Air Methods and the Meade Co. Coroner’s Office. The collision remains under investigation by Tpr. William Hendricks.
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