TOP STORY OF THE DAY, brought to you free by WICU: Failure to stop at light leads to accident at Indiana 59/46

Friday, February 26, 2021
Failure to stop at the flashing light at 59/46 caused a Wednesday accident.
Submitted photo

The Indiana State Police released information regarding the investigation into a Tuesday traffic accident involving an on-duty sheriff’s deputy.

(Names are not being released due to the investigation.)

According to ISP’s information Wednesday, the accident occurred at approximately 1:40 p.m. at the intersection of State Roads 59 and 46.

A Clay County Sheriff’s Department deputy was traveling northbound on 59, had stopped at the lights, and continued onward when “t-boned” on the driver’s side by an eastbound vehicle. Both vehicles came to a stop on the northeast corner of the intersection.

The safety equipment in both vehicles deployed during the accident.

The eastbound vehicle driver, a 61-year-old man from Spencer, complaining of chest pain, was transported to St. Vincent Clay Hospital by STAR Ambulance for medical treatment.

During the investigation, the driver admitted he saw the flashing lights at the intersection but could not explain how fast he was going or why he didn’t stop.

Law enforcement subsequently cited the driver for disregarding a traffic control device.

The deputy sustained minor injuries and was later transported by a personal vehicle to the hospital to be checked out. (Due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, further medical information is unavailable.)

Both vehicles were towed away from the accident scene by Hoosier’s Towing, with an estimated total for damages to both vehicles at $25,000-$50,000.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Department confirmed ISP investigated the case to protect the outcome’s integrity and provide transparency for the public.

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