Rep. Belcher killed in auto accident

State Rep. Larry Belcher (D-Sheperdsville) died last night in an auto accident near Smith's Grove, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal.

Belcher's pick-up truck reportedly struck the back of a tractor trailer that was stopped on Interstate 65 in south central Kentucky. He died at the scene of the accident.

Belcher had served as a member of the state House for a total of six years, including a stint from 1998 to 2002, and from 2006 to present. He lost a bid to win a state Senate seat in 2002.

Before his service in Frankfort, Belcher was a long-time teacher and principal. In Frankfort, Belcher was vice chair of the House Education committee.

Belcher was married with two children.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of my friend Larry Belcher,” said Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) in a release last night. “He loved his home and his state and he represented them both with great pride and commitment.”