In Vicco, Kentucky, tragedy struck on Monday evening, April 21, 2025, when a head‑on collision along Highway 15 near the Georges Branch intersection claimed the life of 34‑year‑old Seth Edward Fawns of Montgomery County and left two others injured. The Perry County Sheriff’s Office received multiple 911 calls before arriving at the scene, where deputies found Fawns unresponsive and pronounced him dead. Two occupants of the other vehicle were treated for non‑life‑threatening injuries at Whitesburg ARH. This devastating crash has reignited long‑standing concerns over safety on this rural stretch of Route 15, where local law‑enforcement alerts and historical data point to a troubling pattern of serious collisions in recent years.
The Crash and Immediate Details
On the evening of April 21, deputies from the Perry County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Highway 15 in Vicco after reports of a violent, head‑on collision near the Georges Branch intersection.
Upon arrival, officers found one vehicle with heavy front‑end damage; the driver, later identified as 34‑year‑old Seth Edward Fawns, was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders.
Two occupants of the second vehicle suffered injuries to their limbs and torso; both were alert, transported to Whitesburg ARH, and listed in stable condition.
Kentucky State Police Post 13 had previously flagged this segment—particularly Georges Branch Road, just 500 feet off KY 15 South—as a hotspot for injury‑causing crashes, prompting safety checkpoints in the area.
The Kentucky State Police continue to lead the collision reconstruction, while the Perry County coroner’s office awaits toxicology and mechanical analyses.
Victim Profile and Community Loss
Seth Edward Fawns, a lifelong Montgomery County resident, was known among friends and family for his generosity and volunteer work at local food drives.
He leaves behind grieving parents, two siblings, and a network of colleagues from the Mt. Sterling community, all of whom have described him as “kind‑hearted” and “devoted to service.
News of his passing has sent shockwaves through both Perry and Montgomery counties, with memorials sprouting at church halls and community centers.
A Pattern of Crashes and Safety Concerns
Locals have long warned that Highway 15 through Vicco is prone to dangerous collisions. In March 2025, a fatal motorcycle‑vehicle crash on Combs Road resulted in two deaths—underscoring ongoing risks on narrow county thoroughfares.
A Perry County 911 bulletin earlier this year detailed two separate reports of vehicles running off KY 15 near Vicco, signaling repeated near‑misses and prompting calls for immediate intervention.
In June 2020, a non‑fatal crash briefly shut down southbound Highway 15 in Vicco—yet no substantial roadway improvements followed, despite community .
Community and Official Response
Sheriff Keith Higdon appealed for witnesses to come forward, offering an anonymous tip line at (606) 433‑7000 and encouraging dash‑cam footage submissions.
Local resident groups have begun organizing with state legislators to demand enhanced signage, rumble strips, and lowered speed limits on the stretch between Vicco and Buckhorn.
Perry County Judge‑Executive Matt Jones pledged to convene a road‑safety task force, granting it authority to work with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet on short‑ and long‑term remedies.
Looking Ahead: Improving Road Safety
Advocates are urging a “complete streets” review of KY 15, calling for paved shoulders and guardrails in high‑risk zones—measures that research shows can cut head‑on fatalities by up to 40 percent.
State Senator Robin Webb has filed a resolution to allocate emergency funding for emergency‑flash signage and speed‑activated warning beacons in rural areas with elevated crash rates.
As Perry County mourns Seth Edward Fawns, his death may yet serve as a catalyst for meaningful change—honoring his memory by making Kentucky’s back roads safer for all who travel them.