Johnson County Man Dead In Highway 80 Crash

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Posted: 9:12 AM Aug 19, 2008
Last Updated: 12:40 PM Aug 19, 2008

16 comments

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A Johnson County man is dead after his pickup truck rear-ends a coal truck on Highway 80.

It happened around 6am Tuesday morning near the Knott-Floyd county line.

The driver of the coal truck told police he saw the pickup truck pulled over on the side of the road as he passed by, then saw the truck pull out and drive into the back of his truck.

30-year-old Brian Ratliff of Volga was pronounced dead at the scene.

“I knew it was going to happen before it happened. I seen him coming and I hit my brake lights, I had my four-ways on, and I just don't know, he never seen them,” says James West of DANCO Trucking.

Police suspect Ratliff may have been under the influence of drugs, but they are waiting for autopsy results to be sure.

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Posted by: wife Location: somewhere on Nov 11, 2008 at 08:18 PM
why is the truck driver not in a truck anymore after my husband was killed...now what is the deal with that if the truck driver wasn't in the wrong..i'm sick and tired of people talking about this let the courts do the rest people..the kids and i miss him..our son turned 9 today and his daddy wasn't here to say happy birthday to his son because of a coal truck..

Posted by: RIP Brian and Hell on wheels! on Oct 20, 2008 at 06:45 PM
Brian we love and miss you like crazy. We all know your still here with us. Some things can't be changed. But justice will be seeked for you. 3 wrecks with Danco trucks since you've been gone. somethings not right!

Posted by: Brains Mom Location: Volga on Oct 1, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Let me tell you all something the autopsy report came back and he was not on any drugs. It came back clean. So all you judgemental idots look at the facts before you judge.

Posted by: sad wife on Sep 10, 2008 at 01:19 AM
IF Brian was pulled over and then pulled out and hit the truck he would not be dead..but there is no way it happened that way cause brian truck was stuck at travling speed and he was in a 5 speed so their is no way it happened the way the report says and besides if the truck driver seen what was going to happen why didn't he try and get out of brians way if he wasn't speeding hisself..people open your eyes and see the real story..you can put 2 and 2 togather i know..you can blame my husband all you want but the truth will come out and brian will not be at fault or on drugs..you people can read the storys or go by hear say..people i am his wife i know the facts..

Posted by: Michelle(Brians wife) Location: salyersville on Sep 10, 2008 at 01:06 AM
Let me tell some of you people a few things about my husband 1 he never done drugs 2 he was a hard working man 3 he loved his 2 kids and me.you people get on here and slander his name like you are and most of you don't even know him.you people don't have to answer the quistions i do when his kids ask why this happen to daddy so until you walk in mine and his kids shoes don't judge a good man,husband and father.And besides no one said anything about the truck driver being on drugs..but the driver has told to many storys for it not to be his fault..so all i'm asking is let my husband rest and stop slandering is name..our small kids hear people saying things and its not fair to them when they know their daddy didn't do what some of you people and the cops are saying...I'm sick and tired of people saying that the truck drivers are never at fault.keep checking the news i'm sure you will hear where this coal truck co. and drivers has 2 law suits already I wounder how many more is out there.

Posted by: Angie Location: Volga on Aug 25, 2008 at 05:13 PM
I'm a very close friend of the family and I just want to say it's bad that you people are saying the things you are, he had 2 small children that no one is taking into cosideration. It's already bad enough they lost their father and now they have to hear this. When the autopsy comes back and it proves he was not on drugs, how are you gonna undo the damage you done to these children with your suspicions? You need to report facts only.

Posted by: Sad Location: Volga on Aug 22, 2008 at 09:33 AM
You know its sad when people get on here and post these comments. First off this is my nephew a very respectable man with 2 kids tryin to get to work to support his children. 2nd thing why do you people always think that the coal truck is to blame. Were not blaming anyone in this. And 3rd if you all had a heart you wouldnt be posting some of these comments. So please people if you cant ask god to be with us in our time of need please don't put stupid comments on here like some. Don't put blame on anyone untill you walk a mile in our shoes.

Posted by: Susie Location: Sitka on Aug 22, 2008 at 01:15 AM
bil, bill, christy, ronnie, larry, paul, stacy, please let this man rest in peace. I know the family & I think you should wait for the autopsy report before laying blame. He may have fallen asleep or suffered a heart attack. In fact, measurements taken at the scene determined that he drove 5.8 miles before hitting the coal truck. Think about it. Truckers aren't always to blame but some non-truckers aren't under the influence when an accident like this happens,either. I will certainly pray for this man's family. It's hard to explain to little children why their daddy won't be coming home to them. Have some consideration for them if nothing else. I will also say a prayer for the opinionated people who think they know everything but don't have all the facts before accusing or blaming a dead man for being under the influence. Furthermore, his uncle drives an 18 wheeler and has witnessed accidents involving these trucks, some drivers were at fault and some were not. Do the math!!!

Posted by: Sad Location: johnson co on Aug 22, 2008 at 12:49 AM
Yes this is Blake Ratliffs grandson.

Posted by: steve Location: florida on Aug 21, 2008 at 08:48 PM
Yes this was their grandson. He was a great friend, great husband, and great daddy of 2. You could not have known a better person. So lay off of him and let him rest in peace. I am sure you can find something else to trouble yourselfs with. God bless him, his wife, and kids.

Posted by: Street Survivor Location: KY on Aug 21, 2008 at 05:39 PM
Of Course my comment did not get posted. But I'm sure it for the best interest of some readers. If you want to know where the D.O.T.'s are at "Sandra" just drive up and down the parkway and I'm sure you will see one doing their job, like they do everyday....

Posted by: tiffany on Aug 20, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Was anyone there?So there for what gives you the right to get on here and say things about this man. Has the autopsy been done yet, therefor they don't evern know.i wish i know this man family so i could tell them how sorry i'm for ther lost. You can tell most of you are from Kentucky cause when something like this happen you have nothing better to do with you life then to get on here and put them down. When something like this happens the first thing is drugs that they say here. This family has lost someone who means the worl to them and may God be with you all.

Posted by: jt Location: Paintsville on Aug 20, 2008 at 03:51 PM
Was this Blake and Bonnie Ratliff's grandson?

Posted by: Jenn Location: Prestonsburg on Aug 20, 2008 at 03:49 PM
Let me just say this to get this out before my opinion is attacked, I have lost a family member to coal trucks and I haven't condemned the industry, and I can still see both sides. People have to make a living both truckers and us regular folks. They are trying to make improvements they have put in a weigh station on 23 and I see state police and DOT all the time. I am not making excuses for anyone by any means but trucks outweigh a vehicle unloaded or loaded by thousands of pounds, respect space people!! If your the big truck watch out for the little cars, if your the little car watch out for the big trucks, everyone has to share the road!! They don't stop on a dime and I've seen people pull right out like the truck isn't there, I have also seen trucks speeding down US23 like they are in the final lap of the Daytona 500. The coal industry is important to this region, we all have to accept what having it here means. With progress come problems. Just pray for all involved.

Posted by: Ronnie Location: Breathitt on Aug 20, 2008 at 03:39 PM
Where I live it always crawls with coal trucks because we live on such a narrow road and when there is a wreck here then the first thing they wanna do is drug test the truckers. But this wreck was not the truckers fault it was the driver but who know he may be on drugs but then he may not be the best thing to do is wait on the autopsy report and find out if he was or wasn't. But my prayers do go out to his family and his wife and children MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!!

Posted by: Deidra Location: Versailles on Aug 20, 2008 at 02:16 PM
Hey, people this boy dead give it a rest. God bless his famiy. he has two small children that does not have their dad anymore why not pray for them for them an love ones left behind.

Posted by: robin Location: paintsville on Aug 20, 2008 at 12:30 PM
my prayers are with this family. i have known this family for a few years and am so sorry for there loss. may god bless this family his mom,dad,sister, grandparents, and especially his 2 children. this community needs to look at the real picture here too (the family thats left behind to grieve) because of the loss of there son, grandson, brother, and dad.

Posted by: Jamie Location: Volga on Aug 20, 2008 at 08:13 AM
Before people start passing judgment even the “cops” not everyone is a druggie! This was a family man with 2 small children on his way to work. I know this has happened to me ( falling asleep while driving) and I am sure it has happened to other people out there as well, Please pray for this family they are nice respectable members of our community.

Posted by: JAN Location: HAZARD on Aug 20, 2008 at 07:25 AM
I would like to know first off Sandra where do you get your information at. The DOT's are out there everyday and do check these trucks. Every death or wreck on the road is not always the coal trucks or the big trucks fault. You got stupid people that think that they drive anyway that they want to and it is o.k. well it's not and that is the reason that they are so many deaths on the highways. So before you go and start shotting off @ the mouth, make sure that you know what you are talking about..........

Posted by: sean Location: mallie on Aug 20, 2008 at 04:16 AM
My prayers are with the driver and the family who lost a loved one .. Why do people blame the trucks all the time ?? The DOT's are doin their job .. a very good one too!!!

Posted by: sad Location: Johnson co on Aug 20, 2008 at 12:52 AM
This is my nephew. And no one is to blame here. Accidents do happen. So please just pray for my family to get through this bad thing.

Posted by: rip Location: thelma on Aug 20, 2008 at 12:01 AM
rest in peace.

Posted by: paul Location: louisa on Aug 19, 2008 at 09:39 PM
Sandra whats that got to do with this story a man under the influence of drugs drove into the truck seems to me the way things are getting anymore drugs are worse than a caol truck The DOT are probably out getting drugies off the street where the real danger is. Coal trucks are a way of life in this area and no I don't drive a coal truck and nevre have but I do like having electric.

Posted by: Jean Location: Hi Hat on Aug 19, 2008 at 07:48 PM
Make the coal companies pay the drivers more a ton and this will solve the problem of the over weight issue .. My prayers are with the driver and the family who lost a loved one ..

Posted by: Christy Location: Floyd on Aug 19, 2008 at 07:44 PM
These coaltrucks are trying to make a living and feed their families and not out here on drugs .. My prayers go out to the family for there loss , but no need to always put blame on the caol trucks ... Have people forgot where there electric comes from !!!!!!! Atleast they are making a living working and not on a check or selling DRUGS ... People need to have respect for these coaltruck drivers and watch for them .... My husband works very hard to put food on the table and doesn't make what he should for the stress he goes thru everyday watching out for other drivers ,,,,,,, God Bless Coal Truck Drivers !!!!!!!!!

Posted by: bill Location: martin on Aug 19, 2008 at 07:06 PM
The days of Overweight trucks are gone. If a truck leaves overweight, it has to be the driver overweight. Now if you leave overweight, almost every drop off will not let you dump or you'll get fined as wells the company. So to say he was overweight is crazy because HE, the truck was hit from behind. Long time hauler, bill

Posted by: bil on Aug 19, 2008 at 06:49 PM
he hit the coal bucket...Whats that got to do with anything?? The trucker is not always at fault...They even suspect him of drugs..I mean come, put the blame where it belongs..

Posted by: Larry on Aug 19, 2008 at 05:43 PM
This is true, Rt 80 and Rt15 are crawling with coal trucks day and night but there also crawling with drug and alcohol impaired people in cars. So where is project UNITE?? If someone can't see something as big as a coal truck with lights flashing they do not need to be driving.

Posted by: Robin Location: salyersville on Aug 19, 2008 at 04:03 PM
how does people know that this truch is overweight you dont know so why say it if you dont really know. And the truck drivers dont really know for sure untill the get to the weight station.

Posted by: John on Aug 19, 2008 at 03:44 PM
Good question Sandra and what ever happened to the fact that they are also required to tarp them????????????

Posted by: steve on Aug 19, 2008 at 03:39 PM
I guess because someone may have fell a sleep at the wheel always makes people think drugs are involved.

Posted by: Larry Location: Inez on Aug 19, 2008 at 03:23 PM
It was not due to weight, re-read the story.

Posted by: Stacy Location: Martin on Aug 19, 2008 at 01:30 PM
KVE are on the raods. There are not enough of them to cover every road in KY. Anyway, the trucker was not at fault. Guess will have to see if Brian was under the influence. God Bless his family.

Posted by: Sandra Location: Hindman on Aug 19, 2008 at 09:54 AM
KY 80 and HWY 15 is crawling with illegal and overweight coal trucks 24 hrs 7 days a week and where is the DOT?

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