3rd CAR-VS-ELK ACCIDENT IN LESS THAN ONE MONTH
GREENWOOD (Posted October 27, 2026)—
Earlier this morning, at approximately 4:00 a.m., the third elk in less than one month was involved in a vehicular accident. There were no human injuries reported; however, the elk, a cow, died at the scene. The driver of the vehicle requested and was given the elk for processing; however, the KY Department of Fish and Wildlife will retain the head for testing.
Motorists are cautioned to drive slowly and carefully on Hwy 27 through the Greenwood area as it is a well-known crossing spot for elk and deer. Both elk and deer crossing activity and vehicle collisions increase at this time of year due to the rut (breeding) season.
Additionally, daylight hours dictate when deer and elk move and are tied to vehicle collisions. Elk and deer feed primarily during low-light hours around sunrise and sunset. Because wildlife keep their natural dawn-dusk routine and do not check clocks, research shows that deer-vehicle crashes increase by roughly 16% in the week following the autumn time change, and data reveals collisions are up to 14 times more likely in the two hours after sunset.
Today’s collision was the third elk-vs-vehicle collision this month in Greenwood. The previous two occurred at approximately 8:00 p.m. Today’s collision was the first in the early morning hours.
( posted on the Heartbeat of McCreary County Facebook Page)
