A driver that was struck by a semi-truck while attempting to cross Hwy 421 in Pulaski County Wednesday afternoon survived the crash but was injured and subsequently airlifted.
Francesville Police Chief Doug Lee provided an update about the incident, noting that it occurred around 2:53 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31st.
He said the accident involved a 22-year old male who was driving a 1996 Ford Bronco as well as a 58-year-old semi-driver who was traveling in a 1993 Mack Truck.
According to Chief Lee, the Bronco was heading eastbound on State Road 14 when he approached the intersection with US 421.
Chief Lee said that witness statements indicate the Bronco made a full stop at the stop sign SR 14 but then the driver proceeded to attempt to cross the highway. He went on to say that the Bronco entered the pathway of the semi-truck, which was traveling northbound on Hwy 421.
When emergency personnel arrived, the driver of the Bronco was successfully rescued from the vehicle, which has been described as totaled. Medical officials from Pulaski County EMS kept him stabilized while a helicopter from Samaritan Medical Transport was called to assist.
The helicopter landed nearby at the West Central School Corporation and then transported the driver of the Bronco to South Bend Memorial Hospital.
Chief Lee noted that he knows the driver was injured but he was unsure of the severity. The semi-driver was described as uninjured.
Lee added there has been no indication that drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash.
Chief Lee said that in addition to the Francesville Police and Volunteer Fire Department, multiple other agencies provided assistance, including the Medaryville Police and Volunteer Fire Department, the Indiana State Police’s Commercial Motor Unit and the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department.
Additionally, reconstruction work was performed by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department
Since authorities are still waiting for the official results of the toxicology and reconstructionist reports, this remains an open investigation.
