DATE: November 11, 2023
SUBJECT: Sheriff’s Office Investigating Fatal ATV Crash on New Harmony Road
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-NR-1111
CONTACT: Sheriff Noah Robinson
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Noah Robinson
On Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 1:39pm, the Sheriff’s Office and German Township Fire Department responded to New Harmony Road east of St. Joseph Road upon report of an off-road vehicle crash involving serious injury.
Upon arrival, deputies observed a middle-age male lying in the middle of the two-lane roadway. A red 2021 Toyota Highlander SUV was found at rest against a tree, down an embankment, on the north side of the road. A 2022 Honda 4-wheeler ATV was found in a ditch on the south side of the road. A bystander along with firefighters attempted CPR, which was soon discontinued due to the fatal nature of the injuries.
A statement taken from the driver of the SUV indicated that she had been traveling east on New Harmony Road, following behind the ATV, prior to the collision. The ATV began to slow, prompting the driver of the SUV to pass the ATV on the left. The ATV then unexpectedly turned left towards a dirt pathway that serviced an adjacent cornfield. The two vehicles then collided.
“Both the SUV and the ATV were taken to the Sheriff’s Office forensics garage for examination,” stated Sheriff Noah Robinson. “Crash vehicle examinations typically involve crush analysis, vehicle lighting inspection, and retrieval of so-called ‘black box’ data from a vehicle’s onboard computer.” Sheriff Robinson continued, “This data often includes how fast the vehicle was traveling at impact, the vehicle’s speed each millisecond before the crash, whether the vehicle was accelerating or braking, and whether the driver was wearing a seat belt.”
Indiana Law requires the driver of a motor vehicle involved in a crash resulting in serious bodily injury or death to consent to a blood draw for forensic toxicology. While at this time alcohol or drugs are not believed to have been a factor in this crash, the investigation remains ongoing.
The Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office will release the name of the deceased.
Pictured above: Crash scene on New Harmony Road east of St. Joseph Road.
-END-