Warren County-Yesterday at approximately 3:30 p.m. on SR 28 just west of Williamsport, IN, a SUV and semi collide sending the semi driver on a Helicopter ride to Methodist Hospital.
Preliminary investigation by Senior Trooper Josh Edwards and Probationary Trooper Kevin Jeffries has determined that the driver of a 2003 red Saturn Vue driven by Roy D. Roberts, 26 of Williamsport was westbound on SR 28 just west of Washington St. when he went left of center while talking to his passenger. The Vue sideswiped a 1991 gold International conventional pulling a 2012 Wilson hopper bottom trailer full of corn. The Vue continued west about 100 yards where it came to rest in the roadway. The semi crossed over the westbound lanes of traffic, through the ditch and into a field where it rolled over and came to rest back on its wheels. The load of corn was spread over the roadway, ditch and field.
Roberts was transported to St. Vincent Hospital in Williamsport with non-life threatening injuries. The passenger refused treatment at the scene. The driver of the semi, Bryan F. Watkins, 53 of Williamsport had to be extricated from the semi and was life lined to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis with serious injuries. The owner of the truck and trailer was Jack Frisby of Williamsport. Seatbelts were in use at the time of the crash. Roberts was issued a summons for failure to provide financial responsibility and left of center.
SR 28 was closed for approximately three hours for cleanup, crash reconstruction and removal of the injured parties. Assisting in the cleanup of the grain was Birkey’s Farm Store of Williamsport and Stewart Grain. Assisting at the scene was Trooper Kyle Wentland, Motor Carrier Inspector for the ISP Trooper Sean Swaim, Warren County Sheriff’s Department, Williamsport Police and Fire Department, Warren County EMS, West Lebanon Fire and Police Departments, Beedles Wrecker Service and Carnaghi Towing and Repair out of Tilton, IL.
All suspects are innocent until proven gulty in a court of law.
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