Published: March 18, 2008 08:11 am      

Teen killed in Berea wreck

BEREA — A Mt. Vernon teen was killed late Friday night in a car crash after colliding with a delivery van in Berea.

Brittany Pruitt, 18, was driving a 1999 black Dodge Avenger near the 2200 block of Big Hill Road in Berea about 10 p.m., a Madison County Sheriff’s Office press release states.

“After a preliminary investigation, it appears that the black Dodge was traveling east on Big Hill Road partially in the oncoming lane after a curve in the roadway,” the release states.

Although a 2004 white Chevrolet van traveling west attempted to avoid the collision, MCSO Deputy Sam Manley said the two vehicles hit head-on. Sherrill “Dwight” Spurlin was driving the delivery van for Service Auto Glass, a trip he makes about five times a week, Manley said.

“The driver of the white van, a 51-year-old white male from Louisville, was taken to St. Joseph Berea Hospital with non-life threatening injuries,” the press release states. “The driver was wearing his seat belt.

Pruitt was pronounced dead at the scene by Madison County Coroner Jimmy Cornelison. She did not have on her seat belt at the time of the crash.

Manley could not say if weather played a role in the crash, but said the blacktop was damp enough that there were not any slide marks on the roadway. Both drivers were alone in their vehicles at the time of the crash.

Pruitt, who was a senior at Rockcastle County High School, was on her way home to Burnt Ridge in Rockcastle County, Manley said. She is the daughter of Angela Cole and David Pruitt and was an active member of her school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes, her obituary states. She worked at the Rockcastle County Hospital pharmacy and Wal-Mart in Berea.

Funeral services for Pruitt will be conducted today at 2 p.m. in the Berea Baptist Church.

Kelly Foreman can be reached at kforeman@richmondregister.com or 624-6694.