WOLFE COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — A deadly crash on the Mountain Parkway in Wolfe County has left a mother of seven dead and several others in critical condition.

Kentucky State Police confirmed that a minivan traveling eastbound on the Mountain Parkway crossed the center line and struck a car carrying Katelyn Harmon, her fiancé Russell Sowers, and two of her children.

Harmon did not survive the crash. Her family said the other three victims, in their car, are all in critical condition.

Harmon’s sister, Kelly Green, said Katelyn was looking forward to a bright future. She was preparing to start a new job, returning to school for nursing, and had just moved back to Kentucky to be closer to family.

“She was just so happy,” Kelly said.

The crash happened while Sowers was driving Harmon, her 9-year-old daughter Kaylen, and their 2-year-old daughter Gabriela, nicknamed “Suggie,” to visit Harmon’s mother.

“We all just can’t get over our minds over it,” Kelly said.

Kelly learned about her sister’s death through a devastating phone call from their mother.

“My mom called me back and told me my sister was in the coroner’s office,” Kelly said. “I just dropped to the floor.”

When asked what she would miss most about her sister, she said, “Everything. That’s what I’m going to miss is everything. She was the best person ever, my sister was,” Kelly said.

All three survivors, from this car remain in critical condition. Kaylen, the 9-year-old, was taken off a ventilator Friday night and is being treated at UK Children’s Hospital. The child has already experienced tragedy, having lost her father in a previous car accident.

“Because her dad was killed in a car accident,” Kelly said.

Kelly described how close Kaylen was to her mother, constantly checking on Katelyn’s whereabouts when they were apart.

“When Kaylen would leave the house, she’d be like, Kelly, give me your phone. I need to call and check on mom. That’s all she worried about was her mom,” Kelly said.

The family wants to correct reports that 2-year-old Gabriela suffered only minor injuries, emphasizing that she has been hospitalized for days after the crash.

“Suggie was hanging from the ceiling in her car seat,” Kelly said. “They’re all having it so rough, them kids are.”

Harmon leaves behind seven children. Her family has started a GoFundMe to raise money for funeral expenses and to support the children.

“She worked for her kids. She took care of her kids, and she made sure that anybody else was took care of. That’s all she worried about was everybody else, not herself,” Kelly said.

Sowers, Harmon’s fiancé, has opened his eyes but remains unresponsive, according to the family.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – The tragic death of Logan Tipton a decade ago has gotten renewed national attention in the days since the announcement of Exantus’ release. Ronald Exantus was released from prison just over a week ago. He’s now back in jail in Florida.

Exantus was convicted in the 2015 stabbing death of 6-year-old Logan Tipton and injuring Logan’s father and two sisters. In 2018, a jury found him guilty but mentally ill for the assaults and not guilty of murder by reason of insanity.

Despite a 20-year prison sentence, he was released a decade early due to a Kentucky law and requested to do his mandatory re-entry supervision in Florida.

It’s been one week since Logan’s father, Dean Tipton, told WKYT after having a talk with God, he would kill Ronald Exantus if they ever crossed paths.

But now, Tipton and his family are breathing a sigh of relief after their son’s killer is back behind bars.

“I’m extremely surprised by it, but I’m so glad Florida was on the ball,” Dean Tipton said.

Dean Tipton adds he thought Exantus would have tried abiding by the law after just being released.

“This man just spent almost 10 years in prison. You would think that he would do everything he needed to do to stay out,” he said.

On Saturday, Oct. 4, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X the White House is “looking into” the Exantus case.

However, five days later the family says they have yet to hear from anyone.

“You know you say you’re investigating this, come talk to the family. Find out what this family has been through,” Dean Tipton said.

The family also states they are let down that they have yet to hear from the governor’s office. Hours before the interview, Gov. Andy Beshear stated he was willing to work with the state legislature to change the law that required Exantus’ release.

“I’m honestly not surprised because we have reached out to the governor’s office before and got no response then,” Dean Tipton said.

The family is now calling on the Kentucky legislature to take action. They are asking legislators to pass Logan’s Law to supersede the law that allowed Exantus out.

In addition, the Tipton’s say they are calling upon President Trump to help get justice for their son.

“Please help us [President Trump]. This has been a long ten years. A lot that I don’t think was done right,” said Heather Tipton, Logan’s mother.

Going forward, the family says they remain hopeful that one day Logan will get the justice he deserves.

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