KRS 188.020: Nonresident owner or operator of motor vehicle makes Secretary of State

process agent.

Any nonresident operator or owner of any motor vehicle who accepts the privilege

extended by the laws of this state to nonresidents to operate motor vehicles or hav e them

operated within state shall, by such acceptance and by the operation of such motor vehicle

within this state, make the Secretary of State the agent of himself or his personal

representative for the service of process in any civil action instituted i n the courts of this

state against the operator or owner, or the personal representative of the operator or

owner, arising out of or by reason of any accident or collision or damage occurring within

this state in which the motor vehicle is involved.