05/20/2026
***UPDATE*** HIT AND RUN VEHICLE/DRIVER IDENTIFIED - CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER
Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 1 troopers, with the assistance of citizen reports and deputies with the Ballard County Sheriff's Office (BCSO), have identified the second vehicle and driver involved in a hit and run collision that occurred Tuesday night.
The second vehicle was identified as a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis, operated by Elijah Cook, 21 years old of La Center.
The investigation shows that the Grand Marquis struck the rear end of a 2014 white Nissan Rouge, operated by Robbin McPhail, 55 years old of Fair Grove, Mo., while both vehicles were traveling eastbound on US 60. The impact resulted in the Nissan Rouge striking a guardrail on the northbound side of the roadway and then continuing off the southbound side of the roadway where it struck a tree. Robbin McPhail sustained non life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital where she was treated and released. A passenger in the Nissan Rouge, Deborah Martin, 72 years old of Fair Grove Mo., sustained life-threatening injuries. She was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
Elijah Cook has been arrested and charged with Manslaughter 2nd Degree, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Failure to Maintain Insurance, and Tampering With Physical Evidence. He has been lodged in the Ballard County Jail.
KSP would like to thank the members of the public who reached out with tips and offered information related to this incident. We would also like to thank BCSO for their assistance with this investigation.
The investigation remains ongoing by Trooper Cody Jackson.
ORIGINAL NEWS RELEASE: PUBLIC ASSISTANCE REQUESTED IN IDENTIFYING HIT-AND-RUN VEHICLE IN BALLARD COUNTY
Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 1 troopers are actively investigating a two vehicle collision that occurred on US 60 in Ballard County on Tuesday night. One of the vehicles involved left the scene of the collision before law enforcement arrived.
On May 19, 2026 at 10:19pm CT, KSP Post 1 was contacted by the Ballard County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) to assist with investigating a collision. BCSO was notified of a two vehicle collision on US 60 near the intersection of State Route 310 at 9:31pm CT. The initial investigation shows that a 2014 white Nissan Rouge, operated by Robbin McPhail, 55 years old of Fair Grove, Mo., was traveling eastbound on US 60 when it was struck in the rear by a second vehicle.
Based on further investigation and evidence found at the scene, KSP Post 1 troopers believe the second vehicle involved to be a 2003-2005 model Grand Marquis. That vehicle reportedly fled the scene eastbound on US 60 at a high rate of speed.
We are asking the public for assistance in identifying and locating the second vehicle involved. Anyone who may have been traveling on US 60 in the area of the collision last night who may have a dash camera is asked to check their cameras for any vehicles that may match the description. Anyone with any information about this collision or who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact KSP Post 1 by calling (270)856-3721 or submitting a tip through our website: https://www.kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/tip
The investigation remains ongoing by Trooper Cody Jackson. No further details regarding the collision will be released at this time.
