RUSSELL SPRINGS, Ky. — A Russell Springs man has been charged with vehicular homicide after a two-vehicle crash on the Cumberland Parkway claimed the life of another local resident Monday afternoon.

According to Kentucky State Police, troopers were called to investigate the collision shortly after 2:30 p.m. after being requested by the Russell County Sheriff’s Office.

A preliminary investigation found that Christopher Austin, 28, of Russell Springs, was traveling westbound in a 2016 Kia Optima when he left the roadway onto the left shoulder.

As Austin steered back onto the parkway, his vehicle entered the path of a westbound 2020 Jeep Cherokee driven by Maylon Brown, 60, of Russell Springs, police said.

The vehicles collided, and Brown was transported to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead by the Russell County coroner.

Austin refused medical treatment at the scene.

State police said Austin was arrested and charged with second-offense DUI, vehicular homicide while under the influence of drugs, first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia and reckless driving.

He was lodged in the Russell County Detention Center.

Senior Trooper Brandon Roark is investigating the crash.