Two Juveniles Killed in Car Crash

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

BRANHAM CREEK —Two female juveniles were killed in a single vehicle crash on Kentucky Route 680, in the Branham Creek community of Floyd County at 2:25 a.m. on Sunday, July 23.

MaKenna Reese Barnett, 13, and Kendra Jade Moreno, 16, both of Prestonsburg were both pronounced deceased at the scene by the Floyd County Coroner’s Office.

Barnett and Moreno were both students at Prestonsburg High School.

Barnett is survived by her Maternal Grandparents, Raymond David “Moon” Mullins of Prestonsburg and Monette Dobson Wright of Michigan; Paternal Grandparents, Gregory Barnett of Hazard.

Moreno is survived by her mother and father, Tiffany Hopson Fannin and Jonathan Martinez; brother, Jonathan C. Martinez of Wittensville; sisters, Carlie Moreno, and Jerrika Fannin, both of Prestonsburg, Marissa Moreno and Alliceea Moreno; Grandparents, Geisella Sue Rodebaugh and David Hall, of Brunswick, Ohio and Pat and Jimmy Goble of Prestonsburg and Cathy Smith.

The initial investigation indicated that Marcus Auxier, 20 of Nippa, was operating a 2019 Chevrolet pickup on Kentucky Route 680, when Auxier’s vehicle exited the roadway and overturned, a Kentucky State Police release said.

Four other occupants including the operator were transported to a nearby hospital for injuries suffered during the collision the release said.

Floyd County School Superintendent Anna Shepherd issued a statement regarding the incident.

“Floyd County Schools experienced a tragic loss over the weekend with the passing of two Prestonsburg High School students in a vehicle accident. Counselors will be available at PHS, Adams Middle School and Allen Elementary School on Monday, July 24, and in the coming days to meet with students and anyone in our community affected by this loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their family, friends and classmates during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers also go out to all those involved in the accident and their families as well. If anyone in our school community needs additional support or needs to speak with someone, we invite you to contact a school counselor at any of our schools,” Shepherd said in her statement.

Funeral services will be held Friday July 28, at 2 p.m. at the Prestonsburg High School Gymnasium for both girls and burial will follow for Moreno at the Fannin Family Cemetery, Cliffside, in Prestonsburg and for Barnett at the Barnett Family Cemetery on Dickerson Fork Road in Hazard.

The investigation is ongoing by KSP Accident Reconstructionist Detective Joshua Scott, who was assisted on scene by Kentucky State Police Post 9 personnel, Mud Creek Volunteer Fire Department and Lifeguard Ambulance Service.