Clay County—This afternoon at 3:27, Indiana State Police and Clay County emergency agencies responded to a car versus dump truck collision in the eastbound lanes of US 40 near County Road 300 East.
Preliminary investigation revealed a Gold, 2000, Chevrolet Cavalier, driven by 18-year-old Austin W. Dean of Knightsville, IN., was eastbound on US 40 near County Road 300 East. Austin Dean attempted a left turn into the median crossover just west of CR 300 East and turned into the path of an eastbound 2002 Freightliner dump truck driven by 48-year-old Edgar Ballenger of Riley, IN. The dump truck and passenger car collided and came to final rest in the median. The dump truck was owned by Singhurse Trucking of Terre Haute was in the passing lane at the time of the crash.
A passenger in the Dean vehicle, 18-year-old Matthew Rutledge of Brazil, IN. was airlifted by Air Evac to Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis for leg injuries. Austin Dean was transported to St. Vincent Clay Hospital for head injuries and Edgar Ballenger was not injured.
Austin Dean was cited for Unsafe Movement from Lane to Lane.
Alcohol and/or drugs do not appear to be a factor.
The crash was investigated by ISP First Sergeant Matt Mischler. Assisting were ISP Sergeant Cory Robinson, ISP Detective Tony Guinn, ISP Trooper Yan Dravigne, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Trans Care EMS, Van Buren Township Fire/Rescue, and Air Evac air ambulance.
Note: I have no pictures available.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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