Two tractor-trailers crash and one catches fire on the Bluegrass Parkway in Hardin County (Feb. 16, 2026)

At a glance

• When: Monday, February 16, 2026, about 9:26 p.m. EST (KSP App)
• Where: Bluegrass Parkway near mile marker 7 (Hardin County) (KSP App)
• What: Two tractor-trailers collided; one caught fire and was reported destroyed (KSP App)
• Injuries: One driver treated for minor injuries; the other was not injured (KSP App)
• Traffic impact: Both directions closed for hours; outlets reported reopening early Tuesday morning (times reported vary) (WNKY News 40 Television)

Quick facts (public info only)

Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 4 says troopers responded around 9:26 p.m. Monday to a two-vehicle injury collision involving two commercial vehicles on the Bluegrass Parkway near the 7 mile marker in Hardin County. (KSP App)

KSP identifies the drivers as Manual Ostos Paxtian (41), of Moss, Tennessee, and Charles Penn (67), of Union Springs, Alabama. (KSP App)

What has been publicly reported about how it happened

According to KSP’s preliminary investigation, both tractor-trailers were traveling eastbound when the first truck’s driver attempted an illegal U-turn using an emergency turnaround to go back westbound. KSP says the second eastbound tractor-trailer tried to avoid the first but struck it. (KSP App)

Fire, roadway closure, and response agencies

KSP reports that after the collision, one tractor-trailer caught fire and was “completely destroyed” and the second tractor-trailer overturned into the westbound lanes. (KSP App)

KSP also reports assistance at the scene from multiple agencies, including Valley Creek, Boston, Central Hardin, and Lebanon Junction fire departments, plus Hardin County EMS. (KSP App)

On reopening: KSP’s release said both directions were closed at the time of posting. News outlets later reported the parkway reopened early Tuesday morning (reported around 5:30 a.m. by WNKY).

Injuries (as publicly reported)

KSP reports Paxtian had minor injuries and was transported to Baptist Health Hardin. KSP reports Penn was not injured. (KSP App)

Why this crash matters for Kentucky drivers

Even when injuries are reported as minor, two-semi crashes can create high risk for everyone nearby because of vehicle size, impact forces, and the chance of fire or secondary collisions in backups—especially at night. This incident also shows how quickly a commercial crash can close a key connector route for hours. (KSP App)

Attorney Note from Rob

Crashes involving commercial trucks can shut down a roadway fast and create real risks for drivers caught in the backup—especially at night. If you were involved in a secondary crash, hit debris, or had damage during the closure, focus first on safety and medical care. Then preserve any dash-cam video and keep receipts and photos. Those small details often matter later.

Be Well!
-Rob Morrin

Who may be liable (always fact-dependent)

Public reporting describes a preliminary narrative. Liability can change as investigators collect evidence and complete reconstruction. In a two-semi crash, potentially responsible parties may include:

• One or both drivers
• One or both motor carriers/employers
• A maintenance provider (if a mechanical issue is supported by evidence)
• A shipper/loader in limited situations (if load securement/cargo issues are a proven factor)

Evidence that often matters in a two-semi collision

In commercial vehicle crashes, evidence can be time-sensitive. Items that often matter include:

• ELD / telematics (location, speed, braking, hours-of-service)
• Dash-cam video (truck or third party)
• ECM/engine data and, when available, trailer system data
• Dispatch and trip records
• Maintenance and inspection records
• Scene documentation (photos/video of final rest positions, debris, lane layout, and any fire damage)

If you were affected by the crash or traffic backup

If you were in a secondary crash, struck debris, or had losses tied to the closure, these steps often help:

1. Put medical care first and write down symptoms as soon as you can.
2. Save dash-cam footage immediately (many systems overwrite quickly).
3. Take photos when safe: vehicle damage, roadway conditions, detours, debris.
4. Keep documents and receipts for towing, rental cars, repairs, missed work, and any out-of-pocket costs.
5. If an insurer calls, it’s okay to be cautious until you know who is insured by whom and what evidence exists.

How Morrin Law Office helps after a truck crash

Truck cases can involve different evidence and multiple insurance layers. Morrin Law Office may be able to help by:

• Requesting preservation of key commercial evidence (when available)
• Identifying the correct carrier and insurer(s) as information becomes public
• Explaining Kentucky next steps clearly and building an evidence-focused plan

Free Professional Case Evaluation: Call 859-358-0300.

What we still don’t know (from public reporting)

• The motor carrier names and USDOT numbers
• Whether any citations will be issued beyond the preliminary narrative
• Whether investigators will release additional conclusions later

Sources

• https://www.kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/news/p4-2-16-2026-2
• https://www.wnky.com/tractor-trailer-catches-fire-following-collision-closes-bluegrass-parkway-for-several-hours/
• https://www.wtvq.com/fiery-crash-shuts-down-bluegrass-parkway-for-hours/
• https://www.wdrb.com/news/fiery-tractor-trailer-crash-shuts-down-bluegrass-parkway-in-hardin-county/article_25ac9008-0160-4def-8814-5bd6de1e9d2a.html
• https://cdllife.com/2026/illegal-u-turn-to-blame-for-fiery-two-semi-truck-crash-kentucky-troopers-say/

This page provides public information only and is not legal advice. Viewing or using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.