Putnam County—Last evening at 10:42, Indiana State Police and Putnam County emergency agencies responded to a motor vehicle crash in the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 near the 32 mile marker. The crash claimed one life and injured a second person.
Preliminary investigation revealed a burgundy 2009 GMC Yukon, driven by Erica Driedger of Semilole, Texas, had run out of gas and was stopped on the emergency shoulder. Her husband Johnny Driedger went to a nearby house for help and when he returned, the battery on the GMC was not functioning. A passerby, 22-year-old John D. Dugger of Terre Haute, IN. stopped to help. Johnny Driedger and John D. Dugger decided to push the GMC up to Dugger’s 2012 Volkswagen to attempt a jump start of the GMC. While doing so, Dugger is believed to have stepped into the driving lane to speak with Dreidger and was struck by a silver 2009 Chevrolet Traverse driven by 55-year-old Terry Scarbrough of Farmersburg, IN. The impact forced Dugger airborne with him ultimately landing on his wife, Andrea Dugger, age not available.
John D. Dugger was airlifted to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis where he succumbed to his injuries early this morning. Andrea Dugger was taken to Methodist Hospital for a leg injury, condition unknown. Family has been notified.
The Dugger’s Volkswagen was parked in front of Dridger’s GMC and the GMC did not have emergency flashers activated as the vehicle’s battery was not functioning.
Drugs and/or alcohol are not suspected and there were no citations issued.
The crash was investigated by ISP Trooper Brian Thomas. Assisting were ISP Troopers Tim Rader, T.J. Henning and Michael Featherling, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Putnam County Operation Life, Cloverdale Police Department, Reelsville and Cloverdale Fire Departments, and IU Health air ambulance.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
-30-
WATTS
