Three juveniles are lifted after a high-speed collision with a vehicle
*CONTENT MAY BE GRAPHIC
Three Juveniles Airlifted After Serious Dirt Bike Collision in Middlesboro
MIDDLESBORO, Ky. — A dirt bike crash in Middlesboro left three juveniles critically injured Tuesday afternoon when their bike was struck by a vehicle near the intersection of 38th Street and Winchester Avenue. Reportedly, the driver of the vehicle was Chris Hall of Middlesboro.
According to Middlesboro Fire and EMS, the three juveniles were riding together on a single dirt bike when a passenger vehicle struck them at the intersection. Emergency crews quickly responded to the scene, providing on-site care before all three were airlifted to a regional trauma center due to the severity of their injuries.
The family has reported that after initially being flown to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, they were transferred to Children’s Hospital, where two will undergo surgery today. One of the dirt bike passengers is said to be at home but has multiple fractures in his vertebrae and is currently in a body brace.
The driver of the vehicle was reportedly not seriously injured and is expected to be physically unharmed.
The Middlesboro Police Department is leading the investigation. Details are under review.
This story is developing. The Source of the Tri-State will provide updates as more information becomes available.
*VIDEO SHOWS GRAPHIC FOOTAGE
A 30-year-old woman who tragically died in accident; AS AN ORGAN DONOR, SHE SAVED SIX LIVES
Lebanon, TENN—A fatal crash on Interstate 40 near Nashville on July 7th has claimed the life of Courtney Gibson, a 30-year-old mother from Bell County, Kentucky with her 18-month-old surviving the accident
LEBANON, TENN—The incident occurred on July 7 at approximately 4:00 PM, as Gibson was driving her 2017 red Toyota RAV4 eastbound on I-40. According to her fiancé, Dakota Pedigo, the crash occurred when another driver attempted to exit the interstate from the far-left lane to the 109 exit, crossing four lanes of traffic.
The merging vehicle struck the rear driver’s-side tire of Gibson’s SUV, causing it to spin out of control and collide with the concrete median barrier. The impact flipped the vehicle upside down, and it slid roughly 15 feet along the roadway.
Passersby traveling in the opposite direction witnessed the crash. Pedigo said several bystanders jumped the concrete barrier, shattered a window, and rescued the couple’s 18-month-old daughter from her car seat. Despite their efforts, they were unable to reach Gibson due to the condition of the vehicle.
She was transported by emergency responders to TriStar Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee, where she was placed on life support. On July 10, she was pronounced deceased from the injuries sustained in the crash.
Pedigo shared that Gibson was a registered organ donor, and her wishes were honored following her passing. According to family and friends, her donations reportedly saved the lives of four to six individuals. Her final act, loved ones say, was a reflection of her nature—selfless, compassionate, and giving.
Gibson’s daughter, now in the care of family, was described by Pedigo as “her everything.” He emphasized that being a mother was the most important part of her life, and that she lived each day with her daughter’s happiness and well-being at the center of everything she did.
We contacted the Tennessee Highway Patrol dispatch, who confirmed the crash remains under investigation but were unable to provide details about the other driver. According to Pedigo, the driver was arrested at the scene for driving on a revoked license and improper lane change. We have contacted THP multiple times and are currently awaiting a response from a Public Relations Trooper for further details.
In a statement to The Source, Pedigo said:
“Courtney was a wonderful person who would help anybody. All she ever wanted to be was a mama. Our daughter was everything that she lived for. It truly amazes me that within a blink of an eye, due to another driver’s hurry and inconsideration, mine and my daughter’s life is changed forever.”
The investigation remains active. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.
Courtney Gibson’s life ended in tragedy, but her final act on earth was to save the lives of six people through organ donation. Her legacy endures—through her daughter, through the loved ones who carry her memory, and through those whose lives were extended because of her selfless gift.
Six lives have been saved through Courtney’s heroic deed. Two peoplegot her lungs; two received her kidneys; another person was lucky to receive her liver and she certainly saved a life by donating her heart to someone who can continue to live. Thanks to Courtney.
HOUSING CRISIS
MIDDLESBORO, KY—Middlesboro’s rental woes are intensified by the steady demand from students at nearby Lincoln Memorial University. Many LMU students seek off-campus housing in Middlesboro due to limited residential availability on their own campus in Harrogate. Local real estate agents confirm that these students are a growing presence in the Middlesboro rental market, contributing to fierce competition for units and making it harder for permanent residents to find available or affordable housing.
Despite increasing demand, the city has extremely limited affordable and public housing infrastructure. Kentucky ranks near the bottom nationally in its provision of affordable housing, with only 43 affordable units available for every 100 extremely low-income households. Middlesboro’s Housing Authority manages roughly 462 aging public housing units across three complexes, in addition to about 450 Section 8 vouchers. That small stock must serve the entire Bell County region. There have been no significant public housing developments in recent decades, and waiting lists often span multiple years. Most new construction in the area does not qualify as affordable by federal or HUD standards.
Many struggling families are left with no viable options. The average household income in Bell County sits under $47,700, making even a $436 monthly rent a serious financial burden. Low-income renters are often forced to double up with other families, accept substandard housing conditions, or leave the area entirely.
“I have tried everything to find suitable housing that I can afford. It’s impossible,” said one Middlesboro mother of four. Her experience mirrors that of countless other residents facing rising rents, dwindling availability, and no relief in sight.
Local leaders and housing advocates are calling for immediate action. Proposals include expanding public housing, increasing the number of affordable units in new developments, and creating incentives for landlords to accept housing vouchers. Yet for now, Middlesboro remains a city where rental housing is affordable in theory — but unavailable in practice. The shortage of safe, stable, and affordable housing has become a crisis for working families and vulnerable residents alike.
Middlesboro Cold Case: The 1992 Slaying of Greta Henson
By: The Source
On the morning of January 7, 1992, the tight-knit Appalachian town of Middlesboro, Kentucky, awoke to a horrifying discovery that would haunt Bell County for decades. Inside her modest home, 24-year-old Greta Henson was found brutally murdered. Henson’s body was discovered by her parents, Josephine and Shirley Henson, who entered their daughter’s house to a scene of unimaginable violence. She had been bound and strangled, then shot point-blank in the back of the head multiple times. It was a crime that shattered the sense of security in this small coal-country community—and one that has never been solved.
Kentucky State Police combed the crime scene, piecing together chilling details. The murder weapon appeared to be Henson’s own .38-caliber revolver, which was found nearby. A family jewelry box was missing from the house, suggesting it was stolen by the killer. Strikingly, detectives reported no signs of forced entry, fueling the belief that Henson may have known her attacker. Despite these clues, early leads went nowhere and the case quickly went cold.
In the months and years following the crime, local and state authorities launched an extensive investigation. Detectives interviewed neighbors and processed forensic evidence. Henson’s home life drew scrutiny: she lived alone in a quiet neighborhood, with her parents nearby in Bell County. According to family and friends, she worked a steady job in town and had no known enemies. Her father, Shirley, was a retired coal miner and her mother, Josephine, a longtime community resident. Yet no breakthrough ever emerged. By early 1993, investigators had exhausted obvious suspects, and the trail of hard evidence had faded.
Over the next two decades, law enforcement periodically revisited the case as forensic technology advanced. In 2013, investigators resubmitted material from the crime scene for analysis, hoping modern tools could uncover new leads. In 2016, Kentucky State Police publicly announced they had uncovered new DNA evidence linked to Henson’s murder. A DNA profile was said to be definitive, but to date no match has been identified and no arrest has been made.
Law enforcement has kept the case in the public eye through periodic appeals. On anniversaries of the crime, state police have asked the community for help. In their most recent public statement, investigators reiterated that Henson had been shot five times in the head. Detectives encouraged anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing that even the smallest detail could prove crucial.
The victim herself—Greta Renee Henson—was remembered by friends and family as a quiet, hardworking young woman. At just 24, she had her whole life ahead of her. She was a devoted daughter who regularly visited her parents each morning and planned to build her future in Middlesboro. She was buried in a small Bell County cemetery, a grave now marked by a simple stone on Turner Church Road. Her parents, who survived her by many years, never stopped seeking justice. “We will never get over it,” her mother once said—a sentiment echoed by many in the town.
Middlesboro in the early 1990s was a city caught in transition. This Appalachian community of roughly 13,000 people—once a bustling coal town—was dealing with the economic aftershocks of industry decline. Families faced job losses and uncertainty, but violent crime remained rare. The murder of Greta Henson stood out not only for its brutality, but for its seeming senselessness. It remains one of the town’s most deeply felt tragedies.
The case drew comparisons to another unsolved crime: the 1990 murder of 21-year-old Jennifer Bailey, who was found strangled in nearby Pine Mountain State Park. Though law enforcement has stated there is no known link between the two killings, the timing and proximity led to widespread community speculation. Some feared a serial predator had targeted the area, but those fears never materialized into actionable leads.
Various theories have emerged over the years. The missing jewelry suggested a robbery, but the ferocity of the attack led others to believe the motive was personal. The lack of forced entry supported the idea that the killer was someone Henson knew and trusted. Rumors swirled about former boyfriends, acquaintances, and co-workers, yet police have never publicly identified a suspect. Online forums and amateur sleuths continue to trade theories, but law enforcement maintains that solid evidence remains elusive.
Despite the passage of time, the pain remains fresh for those closest to Greta Henson. Her mother, now elderly, has held out hope that justice will come. The Kentucky State Police continue to list the case as active, and investigators maintain that someone, somewhere, knows what happened. They urge the public to come forward—even anonymously—if they hold any knowledge that might shed light on the case.
As of 2025, more than three decades later, the murder of Greta Henson remains unsolved. Yet her story continues to resonate in the quiet hills of southeastern Kentucky. It is a reminder that justice delayed is not justice denied—and that even in the darkest cases, truth sometimes finds a way to the surface.
Middlesboro Cold Case: The 1992 Slaying of Greta Henson
By: The Source
On the morning of January 7, 1992, the tight-knit Appalachian town of Middlesboro, Kentucky, awoke to a horrifying discovery that would haunt Bell County for decades. Inside her modest home, 24-year-old Greta Henson was found brutally murdered. Henson’s body was discovered by her parents, Josephine and Shirley Henson, who entered their daughter’s house to a scene of unimaginable violence. She had been bound and strangled, then shot point-blank in the back of the head multiple times. It was a crime that shattered the sense of security in this small coal-country community—and one that has never been solved.
Kentucky State Police combed the crime scene, piecing together chilling details. The murder weapon appeared to be Henson’s own .38-caliber revolver, which was found nearby. A family jewelry box was missing from the house, suggesting it was stolen by the killer. Strikingly, detectives reported no signs of forced entry, fueling the belief that Henson may have known her attacker. Despite these clues, early leads went nowhere and the case quickly went cold.
In the months and years following the crime, local and state authorities launched an extensive investigation. Detectives interviewed neighbors and processed forensic evidence. Henson’s home life drew scrutiny: she lived alone in a quiet neighborhood, with her parents nearby in Bell County. According to family and friends, she worked a steady job in town and had no known enemies. Her father, Shirley, was a retired coal miner and her mother, Josephine, a longtime community resident. Yet no breakthrough ever emerged. By early 1993, investigators had exhausted obvious suspects, and the trail of hard evidence had faded.
Over the next two decades, law enforcement periodically revisited the case as forensic technology advanced. In 2013, investigators resubmitted material from the crime scene for analysis, hoping modern tools could uncover new leads. In 2016, Kentucky State Police publicly announced they had uncovered new DNA evidence linked to Henson’s murder. A DNA profile was said to be definitive, but to date no match has been identified and no arrest has been made.
Law enforcement has kept the case in the public eye through periodic appeals. On anniversaries of the crime, state police have asked the community for help. In their most recent public statement, investigators reiterated that Henson had been shot five times in the head. Detectives encouraged anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing that even the smallest detail could prove crucial.
The victim herself—Greta Renee Henson—was remembered by friends and family as a quiet, hardworking young woman. At just 24, she had her whole life ahead of her. She was a devoted daughter who regularly visited her parents each morning and planned to build her future in Middlesboro. She was buried in a small Bell County cemetery, a grave now marked by a simple stone on Turner Church Road. Her parents, who survived her by many years, never stopped seeking justice. “We will never get over it,” her mother once said—a sentiment echoed by many in the town.
Middlesboro in the early 1990s was a city caught in transition. This Appalachian community of roughly 13,000 people—once a bustling coal town—was dealing with the economic aftershocks of industry decline. Families faced job losses and uncertainty, but violent crime remained rare. The murder of Greta Henson stood out not only for its brutality, but for its seeming senselessness. It remains one of the town’s most deeply felt tragedies.
The case drew comparisons to another unsolved crime: the 1990 murder of 21-year-old Jennifer Bailey, who was found strangled in nearby Pine Mountain State Park. Though law enforcement has stated there is no known link between the two killings, the timing and proximity led to widespread community speculation. Some feared a serial predator had targeted the area, but those fears never materialized into actionable leads.
Various theories have emerged over the years. The missing jewelry suggested a robbery, but the ferocity of the attack led others to believe the motive was personal. The lack of forced entry supported the idea that the killer was someone Henson knew and trusted. Rumors swirled about former boyfriends, acquaintances, and co-workers, yet police have never publicly identified a suspect. Online forums and amateur sleuths continue to trade theories, but law enforcement maintains that solid evidence remains elusive.
Despite the passage of time, the pain remains fresh for those closest to Greta Henson. Her mother, now elderly, has held out hope that justice will come. The Kentucky State Police continue to list the case as active, and investigators maintain that someone, somewhere, knows what happened. They urge the public to come forward—even anonymously—if they hold any knowledge that might shed light on the case.
As of 2025, more than three decades later, the murder of Greta Henson remains unsolved. Yet her story continues to resonate in the quiet hills of southeastern Kentucky. It is a reminder that justice delayed is not justice denied—and that even in the darkest cases, truth sometimes finds a way to the surface.
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