On Wednesday, June 23, 2021, at approximately 1830 hours, the Metcalfe County Sheriff’s
Office was notified of a single vehicle collision on KY 163, approximately 3.2 miles south of
Summer Shade, KY. Sheriff Lonnie Hodges and Deputy Logan Richardson responded to
investigate.
Preliminary information indicates that Walter G. Sturgill was operating a 1998 Honda motorcycle
southbound on KY 163. As Sturgill was traveling southbound, for unknown reasons, his vehicle
crossed the center divider line into the northbound lanes. The vehicle continued toward the
northbound shoulder when it began skidding. The vehicle then traveled across the rumble strip
located on the northbound shoulder, causing Sturgill to lose control. The vehicle then traveled
down an embankment and struck a drainage ditch, ejecting Sturgill. The motorcycle and Sturgill
then came to rest off the northbound shoulder on an embankment. Sturgill was not wearing a
helmet at the time of the collision. Sturgill was pronounced deceased at the scene by Metcalfe
County Coroner Larry Wilson.
This collision remains under investigation by Deputy Richardson. The Metcalfe County Sheriff’s
Office was assisted at the scene by Barren-Metcalfe EMS, Summer Shade VFD, and the
Metcalfe County Coroner’s Office.