Clay County—This morning at 00:26, Indiana State Police and Clay County emergency agencies responded to a two-vehicle crash in the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 near the 19 mile marker.
Preliminary investigation revealed a silver 2001 Nissan four-door, driven by 17-year-old Hannah C. Wade of Farmersburg, IN., was westbound on I-70 and experienced a front driver’s side tire “blow out”. The Nissan began to swerve across both westbound lanes, ultimately striking the north side guardrail and coming to rest disabled in the westbound passing lane. A passing tractor-trailer driver stopped on the shoulder to assist the unknown driver of the Nissan, at the same time Ms. Wade exited her vehicle to dial 911. As Ms. Wade was dialing 911 and attempting to hurry out of the roadway, a westbound 2015 Freightliner tractor pulling a box trailer had moved into the passing lane to avoid the tractor-trailer on the shoulder. The westbound JB Hunt Company tractor-trailer, driven by 56-year-old Jerry Chamberlain of Belton, Missouri then struck the Nissan disabled in the passing lane.
Ms. Wade had successfully exited the roadway on foot and was not struck. However, she was transported to Terre Haute Regional Hospital for treatment of neck pain suffered in the initial crash. Troopers reported mere seconds occurred between the time Ms. Wade exited her vehicle and her vehicle was struck by the on-coming tractor-trailer.
Jerry Chamberlain and the Good Samaritan driver who stopped to help reported no injuries.
Both crashes were investigated by ISP Trooper Kyle Hall. Assisting were Master Trooper Todd Brown, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, CARE ambulance service, Posey Township Fire/Rescue, and Curtis Wrecker Service.
Westbound Interstate 70 was limited to one lane in the area for approximately two and one-half hours for crash investigation and clean-up.
The Indiana State Police would remind drivers should they be involved in a crash that disables their vehicle in the roadway, drivers should exit their vehicle and move to a safe location, followed by immediately dialing 911.
The attached picture is from the scene. You will notice the impact with the driver’s side of the Nissan and the potential for a fatality if Ms. Wade had remained in her car.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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