July 17, 2010

Accident injures two, one critical

      One person sustained life-threatening injuries earlier today in a two-vehicle accident that occurred at the intersection of State Road 37 and Smith Valley Road in northwest Johnson County.  A van making a U-turn in the intersection was struck by a northbound pick-up truck traveling at highway speeds.  Each vehicle had only one occupant.  The driver of the van was trapped in his vehicle for a short time until firefighters were able to remove him.  The driver of the pick-up truck was out of his vehicle and sustained only minor injuries.  The accident occurred in front of White River Township Station 53 and was witnessed by several firefighters working at the station.  They immediately called the accident in to the dispatcher and responded to the scene.  Paramedics treated the driver of the van and transported him to the Methodist Hospital Trauma Center in Indianapolis via ambulance where he was later listed in critical condition.  The driver of the pick-up was also treated at the scene and transported to Community Hospital South.  The accident closed the intersection for about two hours while sheriff's deputies and firefighters worked to clean up the incident and investigate the cause.
 

           
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