Dentist Killed In Crash
Dentist Killed In Crash Save Email Print
Posted: 6:51 PM Sep 1, 2008
 Last Updated: 7:45 AM Sep 2, 2008
 Reporter: Michel Mason
Email Address: michel.mason@wymtnews.com
37 comments
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A deadly crash brings a tragic end to the Labor Day Weekend for one Eastern Kentucky family.

The vehicle was found over an embankment on Highway 1110 in the Haddix community of Breathitt County. Many in the community tell me they're in shock after learning who died in the crash.

Those we talked to say 32-year-old Dr. John Combs was a dentist in Jackson. People on the scene say no one had heard from him since Saturday.

A passerby spotted the wreckage just after noon Monday. Troopers say Combs was driving west when he lost control. His SUV went down the embankment, landing nearly 100 feet from the roadway on it's top.

"Could have made it very difficult for someone to see. Yes. There is a lot of vines down in there but the vehicle is just overturned," said Tony Watts with the Kentucky State Police.

It's still not clear when Combs actually crashed. Troopers will only say no foul play is suspected and the accident remains under investigation. They do say Combs was not wearing his seat belt.
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Posted by: Glidewell Labs Location: Newport Beach Ca on Sep 8, 2008 at 01:35 PM
Our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of our customer Dr. John Combs.
Posted by: Brown's Location: Georgetown ky on Sep 6, 2008 at 12:23 AM
Our thoughts and prayers go to Joy and Henry B. and John's brother, Merv.
Posted by: Sarah Location: Michigan on Sep 5, 2008 at 08:59 PM
My most heartfelt condolences to John's family, staff and friends. My prayers are with you all.
Posted by: Eric & Jennifer Location: Jackson on Sep 5, 2008 at 03:12 AM
Our Hearts goes out to John's family, office family, and friends. He will be greatly missed.
Posted by: Freda Location: Owsley on Sep 4, 2008 at 12:54 PM
I will forever be grateful within my heart to the man who gave me back my smile. So tragic to lose such a gifted talented person.
Posted by: JugNoble Location: jackson on Sep 4, 2008 at 12:04 AM
I never had the pleasure of having a brother,but Merv John and max magee made up for it a 1000 times john combs is one of a kind ther never will be another Joy and B are just like my family and for the ones who didnt know him it was your loss he had alot more smiles and happiniess to spread when yall think of joh njust smile He Would
Posted by: An Acquaintance Location: Near Quicksand on Sep 3, 2008 at 11:47 PM
I was thinking about John while I was running about 9 p.m. this evening, wondering what had happened and was he in a better place. When I looked up at the stars, I saw a long, bluish-white shooting star come across the sky from the right of the road. Just before it got to the the other side, it broke into 3 or 4 pieces and faded out of sight. Whether it was a sign from him or not, I felt more at peace with the tragic loss of our friend, brother, son, and favorite dentist, John. I hope you all can find that peace for yourselves.
Posted by: Wanda Smith Location: Jackson, ky on Sep 3, 2008 at 09:32 PM
John was my dentist for several years. I will greatly miss him. He was a down to earth person, and always treated everyone with respect. It is so hard to believe that he is gone. He was the most friendly Dr. I have every known. He had a great staff, and they all make you feel welcome. May God be with him and his family. I will always remember him.
Posted by: Sherry Location: Mt.Sterling Ky on Sep 3, 2008 at 07:53 PM
So sound to hear this. Your right he always had a big smile. I was one of his Assistant at the College Of Dentistry, my heart goes out to all that loved him...God Bless
Posted by: Patsy Location: Booneville on Sep 3, 2008 at 07:43 PM
May God be with the family during this time of loss.
Posted by: Jason Location: Lexington on Sep 3, 2008 at 06:56 PM
I, along with several others commenting here, had the pleasure of getting to know John during dental school. He was always cheerful and never had a bad thing to say about anyone or anything. My heart and prayers go out to his family, friends and office staff. The community has lost a great person and wonderful dentist.
Posted by: Thomas Shipley Location: Peoria, AZ on Sep 3, 2008 at 05:41 PM
John was a great person who was loved by many. My prayers are with his family and friends.
Posted by: millers Location: jackson on Sep 3, 2008 at 03:18 PM
will miss that big grin & cheerful character
Posted by: Dr. Michael Day Location: Lexington, KY on Sep 3, 2008 at 02:05 PM
John was a great guy and I had the opportunity to get to know him during dental school. He was a great guy and I'm sure he'll be missed by his patients. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, close friends, and his office staff during these difficult times. God speed.
Posted by: the girls Location: jackson on Sep 3, 2008 at 01:47 PM
we were John's staff and our hearts are broke...John was our big brother and we all were family...He was the best boss and our best friend..Life will never be the same without him...We loved him and his family dearly and will never recover from this loss...God Bless this wonderful family our prayers are with you
Posted by: Sheri Location: Campton on Sep 3, 2008 at 10:20 AM
I work at a car dealership,and I went to see John,and he told me that my tooth that needed fix,was just like a car,It still had warranty on it.John,you will be missed by us all.Henry B.@ Joy you raised a great son.
Posted by: brenda Location: owsley on Sep 3, 2008 at 09:07 AM
when i first took my grandchild brandi to john i told her if she let him work on her teeth that i would buy her a little turtle from pet world so by the time john got done with her teeth we had 17 turtles, she ran out of names to name them so she name them after john and the girls a working in there, john got a big laugh out of that . he named brandi the turtle girls. we sure will miss john.
Posted by: life saver Location: corbin on Sep 3, 2008 at 07:16 AM
i,m not sure that not wearing his seat belt was a factor in this unfortunate crash.so why even bring it up.wearing a seat belt should be your own choice.he bought the vehicle,pays his own insurance,and buys his own fuel.but you say it's a "free country" democracy.
Posted by: Sandy Location: Beattyville on Sep 3, 2008 at 06:18 AM
John was a great dentist, And a great person. you never seen him without a smile on his face he was the friendliest person that you would of met. He had a great personality It's a terrbile loss, And shocked me more than anything. I'm still in shock. My prayers are with his family.
Posted by: Tracey Location: Louisville on Sep 3, 2008 at 01:52 AM
John will be missed by many, but his mom and dad will feel his absence more than all of us combined. Henry and Joy, you are in my thoughts and prayers. My deepest sympathy for your loss. Know you raised a wonderful man who was loved by many. Taken from us far too soon.
Posted by: Kay Hale Location: Jackson, KY on Sep 3, 2008 at 01:04 AM
John Combs was such a wonderful dentist...always smiling and a pleasure to be around! My heart goes out to his family at this terrible time. May it help his Mom and Dad just a little to know that so many admired John as a dentist and were proud of him for bringing his practice back home to us! He will truly be missed in our community! My families thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.... Rest in peace, our dentist and our friend!
Posted by: Gary Location: Jackson on Sep 2, 2008 at 11:32 PM
God bless john and his faimly at this tragic time, I thought so much of john and the girls at the dentist office. may god be with you all.
Posted by: Drew Browning Location: lexington, Ky on Sep 2, 2008 at 08:15 PM
I went to college with John and his brother Merv, the two were inseperable,and John wanted to make everyone smile big! Sad to seeit happen this way but I know John is upstairs with the 'big guy. Keeping the family in my prayers. I love you all. -Brownin'
Posted by: cassandra Location: woodbury, Minnesota on Sep 2, 2008 at 07:57 PM
John was a great guy. We were classmates in dental school. I never remember a time that he wasn't smiling. He will be missed. My deepest condolences to his family.
Posted by: Bonnie Location: Jackson on Sep 2, 2008 at 07:21 PM
My prayers are with the family, Merv may God keep you trough this terrible time. John was a sweet person and will be missed. The community has lost a fine young man, who was a friend ,dentist, and a fine former Breathitt High basketball player. To the family my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Posted by: Lucy Location: Jackson on Sep 2, 2008 at 07:01 PM
My heart is heavy with grief for John's co-workers, his family and our community. He was a pleasure to know a kind caring young man. He always made me smile.
Posted by: Mary Tharp Auxier Location: Wolverine, KY on Sep 2, 2008 at 06:49 PM
I want John's family to know that you have been in my prayers. John was a very sweet young man. He will be missed so much.
Posted by: Doug Couch, DMD Location: Corbin, Kentucky on Sep 2, 2008 at 03:25 PM
My staff and I extend our deepest condolences to John's family and staff. He was a good friend and classmate in dental school, and was always smiling.
Posted by: brandi Location: owsley co. on Sep 2, 2008 at 02:48 PM
john i will think of you every time i look in the mirror & smile. it is so sad that god had to take you .you where so special to me.my prayers for your family & the girls in the office.miss you
Posted by: Angie Location: London on Sep 2, 2008 at 01:31 PM
John will be greatly missed. He was a young man with much potential and a promising future. He was my dentist, and I also considered him my friend. I extend my condolences and deepest sympathy to his family and office staff. My prayers are with you.
Posted by: carolyn turner mcdaniel Location: booneville on Sep 2, 2008 at 01:07 PM
john was such a great dentist and a wonderful guy always had a smile and a kind word for everyone he will be sadly missed God bless his family and all the girls at the office this is such a sad day. he made my life so much better by giving me a reason to smile again. God bless you all you are in our prayers
Posted by: Ashly Location: Beattyville on Sep 2, 2008 at 12:48 PM
To the family, Joy and Henry B, I will keep you in my prayers. John was a great person and dentist, I could not have been more satisfied with his dental work, as well as his great personality. I just saw him last week, and he still had a big smile on his face. He is in God's hands now. I will keep you all in my prayers. Love Tosh's Sister, Ashly
Posted by: Ali Amoli Location: Lexington, Ky on Sep 2, 2008 at 12:30 PM
John was one of my closest and dearest friends from dental school. He always had a smile on his face and a heart of gold. He was kind and generous to all. My thoughts and Prayers go out to his dear family. I was fortunate to have been his friend, and I will miss him very much.
Posted by: Dr. Rodney B. Griffith Location: Jackson on Sep 2, 2008 at 12:16 PM
John was a good dentist and guy. Alot of people thought alot of him, he will be sadly missed. Our prayers and thoughts are with his mom and day Joy & Henry B.
Posted by: A Friend Location: Jackson on Sep 2, 2008 at 11:43 AM
My thoughts and prayers are with John's family he was a really great guy...
Posted by: Friend Location: Jackson on Sep 2, 2008 at 11:09 AM
John was such a kind, friendly guy. This is so very sad. I hate that this happend so badly. My thoughts and prayers are with Joy and Henry B. Such a great loss.
Posted by: brenda Location: owsley on Sep 2, 2008 at 11:04 AM
john was a great dentist,he was the first dentist that my grand child would let work on her teeth .we will both miss him.but most of all,god bless his family , i will be thinking of him ,and the family.
Posted by: Wendi Location: Jackson on Sep 2, 2008 at 09:02 AM
John was a great person, my prayers are with his family. He will be missed
Posted by: ella Location: vicco on Sep 1, 2008 at 11:48 PM
John will be greatly missed. He was a great friend, classmate,and fellow dentist. He was well received and respected by his peers. My prayers are with his family and coworkers.
Posted by: friend Location: jackson on Sep 1, 2008 at 11:13 PM
John was a great man and friend. This is a very tragic accident. I can't remember a time that I ran into John and he didn't greet me with a smile. He will be greatly missed!!
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