DATE: Thursday, January 31, 2019
SUBJECT: Stranded Motorist Injured on I-69
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-NR–009
CONTACT: Lt. Mark Rasure
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Dave Wedding
At approximately 08:39 this morning deputies with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of I-69 near the 1.5 mile marker to a report of a stalled vehicle that had been struck by another vehicle. The driver of each vehicle was transported to area hospitals for potentially serious, but non-life threatening injuries.
During the investigation deputies discovered that a maroon Cadillac Escalade was parked southbound on the emergency shoulder of I-69 with a flat tire. The driver of the Escalade was awaiting the arrival of roadside assistance when his vehicle was struck in the rear by a black Ford Expedition that was traveling southbound. The impact caused both vehicles to crash into the guardrail, with the Expedition coming to rest in the middle of the southbound lanes of the interstate. As a result the southbound lanes of I-69 were closed for about an hour.
Pursuant to Indiana state law regarding motor vehicle collisions involving serious bodily injury or death, both of the involved drivers were requested to consent to toxicology screening to be completed by the Indiana Department of Toxicology. Both drivers submitted to the toxicology screening at the hospital. The investigation will remain open pending the official toxicology results. It does not appear at this time that drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.
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