BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — A 15-year-old Inez girl died early Sunday in a single-vehicle crash on Old Route 3 near the entrance of Sycamore Estates in Inez.

Brenda Maynard was a passenger in the back seat of a 1998 Ford Mustang driven by 19-year-old Timothy Ramey II of Inez when the vehicle exited the roadway and overturned, police said.

Martin County Coroner Chris Todd responded to the call at 4:30 a.m. and pronounced Maynard dead at the scene.

“The vehicle was on its top, and the deceased female was lying on the side of the roadway,” Todd said. “She was a passenger in the rear seat and was ejected from the vehicle.”

Another female passenger, Juanita Bowen, was air-lifted to a Pikeville hospital for injuries. Family members say Bowen was released Monday.

“The driver refused treatment at the scene,” said Todd.

The coroner also said investigators found a bag containing alcoholic beverages at the scene outside the car.

Kentucky State Police Post 9 was called to the scene at 5 a.m. and reconstructed the accident.

Trooper Dustin Thompson is investigating.

Maynard was a student at Martin County High School.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the loss of one of our MCHS sophomores,” Principal Martha Williams said Monday in a post on the school’s Facebook page. “Brenda Maynard, age 15, was tragically killed in a car accident Sunday morning. Counselors will be on hand next Monday upon return from spring break for any students needing to talk.”

Maynard’s funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Vineyard United Baptist Church. Friends may visit at the church from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, Maynard’s parents, Michael Maynard and Caitlin Fugitt Maynard, request that donations be made to the Crum Funeral Home to assist with the funeral costs.