(BEDFORD) – A Bedford man was killed in a two-vehicle accident on State Road 446 Saturday afternoon.
According to a Lawrence County Sherrif’s Department reported, 26-year-old Richard Brandon Hattabaugh was pronounced dead at the scene.
The accident was reported at 2:04 p.m. in the 1250 block of State Road 446.
Police say Hattabaugh was traveling north on State Road 446 in a 2012 Honda Civic. Also traveling north was 45-year-old Gordon Whitehead, of Petersburg, in a 2019 Chevrolet Colorado.
According to police, Hattabaugh attempted to pass Whitehead on the right shoulder of State Road 446 and was exceeding the speed limit. As Hattabaugh attempted to pass, Whitehead moved to the left side of the northbound lane and attempted to avoid contact with Hattabaugh’s car.
But Whitehead’s vehicle made contact with Hattabaugh’s right rear fender.
Hattabaugh’s car left the roadway on the right side of the road and traveled approximately 1,320 feet. The car then began to skid for 243 feet through the grass parallel to the highway then spun counterclockwise 45 degrees and the passenger side of the car struck some trees. The car then became airborne and traveled 66 feet. The car landed, striking the ground with the front bumper which caused the car to flip upside down. The car then slid another 15 feet on its top before coming to a stop.
Hattabaugh suffered severe head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by an AMR ambulance paramedic. His body had to be freed from the wreckage by Shawswick Fire Department firefighters.
Whitehead complained of neck pain. His passenger, a 47-year-old female, also of Petersburg, complained of back pain.
Both were treated at the scene but refused to be transported to a hospital for treatment.
Police say there was a strong odor of alcohol coming for Hattabaugh’s car and officers found several open and closed cans of beer inside the car.
Police are waiting on toxicology reports from the coroner’s office.
