Paintsville EMS director killed on wintry scene

By JOHN HULTGREN
Kentucky EMS Connection

PAINTSVILLE - Icy roads were blamed for a crash that killed the Paintsville EMS director, and the patient she was caring for, this morning.

City of Paintsville Fire-Rescue-EMS Assistant Chief and EMS Director Christa Dawn Burchett, 33, was injured around 9 a.m. on U.S. 460 in Johnson County near the Magoffin County line. She had responded to a minor crash with possible injuries involving a pregnant woman.

While on the scene, a coal truck lost control on an incline and struck both Burchett and her patient, Erica Brown, after first striking a police cruiser.

Brown was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say she had not appeared to have suffered any major injuries in the first crash.

Burchett was transported to Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center where she was pronounced dead at 10:04 a.m.

Another paramedic, Brian Moore, was treated and released from Hall Regional.

Johnson County Judge-Executive Tucker Daniel reported that the roads were slippery with light snow and slushy ice. He said Burchett was helping the patient into an ambulance at the time of the crash.

Paintsville Mayor Bob Porter said "Christa Burchett is a valuable member of our city team. We're devastated by what's happened."

Burchett is survived by a 14-year-old daughter.

Funeral arrangements are still pending.

The City of Paintsville Fire-Rescue-EMS has requested the Kentucky Community Crisis Response Team.

The National Weather Service had posted a snow advisory for much of central Kentucky early Tuesday and warned that driving could become slippery during the morning commute. The advisory was canceled later in the morning after the snow and ice turned to rain.

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