SOUTH FULTON MAN INVOLVED IN PURCHASE PARKWAY COLLISION

James C. Tatum of South Fulton was southbound on the Purchase Parkway, driving a Mack dump truck on Thursday afternoon, with a load of gravel, when the truck blew a rear tire, forcing Tatum to apply his brakes to maintain control of his truck, according to a press release issued by the Graves County Sheriff's Office.

The GCSO was dispatched to the location at the 9 mile marker on the parkway, near the Hickman County/Graves County line, and through investigation by that agency, as well as other agencies responding to the scene, it was determined that when Tatum applied his brakes, Jeffery Sanderson, 52 of Mayfield, was also southbound in a semi truck and trailer hauling a load of corn, was unable to avoid Tatum and struck the rear of Tatum's truck.

The impact caused Tatum's vehicle to roll over onto its side and strike a bridge rail. Sanderson's semi continued southbound and the cab of the truck caught fire as the truck came to a stop.

Sanderson was able to exit the truck before the fire in the cab was out of control and he was not injured. Tatum refused treatment at the scene.

The Wingo and Water Valley Fire Departments both responded to the scene and extinguished the semi fire with southbound lanes of the Purchase Parkway closed from 3 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., awaiting the scene to be cleared.

Other agencies assisting at the scene included Kentucky State Police, Mayfield Fire Department, Mayfield/Graves County EMS, Graves County Emergency Management, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Division of Law Enforcement.