SUBJECT: Crash with Serious Injury
RELEASE NUMBER: 2014-NR-073
CONTACT: Sgt. James Boyd
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Dave Wedding
On August 08, 2014 the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office responded to 2215 E. Boonville New Harmony Rd in reference to a head-on traffic collision involving a driver who was found unresponsive. Upon arrival Sheriff’s deputies learned the accident involved a 2006 white Chevy Malibu driven by Ms. Erica R. Valentine and a white 1996 Ford F-350 truck driven by Mr. Robert A. Schuler. The F-350 truck was pulling a box trailer.
The initial investigation revealed that the white Malibu had been traveling west on Boonville New Harmony and approached a curve. The white F-350 was traveling east and approached the same curve. The white Malibu’s driver lost control of her vehicle in the curve and spun across the center line in front of the approaching F-350 truck. The front of the F-350 truck impacted the passenger side of the Malibu, pushing it to the south side of the roadway.
The driver of the Malibu was initially unresponsive and had to be extricated from the vehicle by the Scott Township Fire Department. The driver was transported by ambulance to Deaconess Hospital for her injuries. The driver of the F-350 truck had complaint of pain to his arm, shoulder, and chest. He was also transported to Deaconess Hospital for examination.
A witness to the accident stated that he saw the white Malibu approaching the curve at a high rate of speed just before the crash occurred. The witness further indicated that as the Malibu entered the curve, the driver lost control of the vehicle which began to spin. The vehicle crossed the center line and the front of the F-350 truck struck the passenger side of the Malibu.
Because this crash involved potentially serious bodily injury, both drivers will be subject to alcohol and drug testing in accordance with state law.
Involved Parties:
Driver #1
Erica R. Valentine
29 year old
Newburgh, IN
Driver #2
Robert A. Schuler
49 year old
Evansville, IN
-END-