Four people suffered minor injuries and no charges were filed in a three vehicle accident along State Road 56 near Shiloh Church west of Jasper early Sunday afternoon. The Dubois County Sheriff’s Department says just after 1 pm yesterday a cross over SUV driven by 26-year old Brandi Dixon of Petersburg was Westbound on Highway 56 nearing the intersection with County Road 180 North. During that same time deputies say a passenger car driven by 53-year old Peggy Shaw Vernon of Jasper was Westbound on 56 and had stopped to make a left turn onto County Road 80 North. Dixon told deputies that she was distracted by looking at antique vehicles that were travelling in the Eastbound lanes of highway 56. Dixon said she failed to see Shaw-Vernon’s car stopped in front of her and a rear end collision ensued.
After the collision Shaw-Vernon’s vehicle went partially into the Eastbound lane and into the path of one of the antique vehicles, a pickup driven by 58-year old Jimmy Shaw of Forest, Mississippi that was Eastbound on State Road 56. The left front of Shaw-Vernon’s car struck the left front of Shaw’s truck.
After that collision deputies say Shaw’s truck had no steering control, continued Eastbound and went to the left, striking a gaurdrail and came to rest. Authorities say State Road 56 on Jasper’s westside was blocked for about one hour while the scene was cleared. All injured parties refused treatment at the scene. Shaw-Vernon and her 14 year old daughter were transported to Memorial Hospital by personal vehicle for treatment for pain to the arm and abdomen and seatbelt abrasions. Dixon and her 6 year old daughter refused treatment at the scene.
The Dubois County Sheriff’s Department noted that due to the fact that everyone involved was wearing seatbelts greatly reduced the severity of the injuries. Once again no charges were filed. Damage to Shaw’s pickup was listed at 10-thousand dollars while both Shaw-Vernon and Dixon’s vehicles were a total loss. The Indiana State Police, Jasper Fire Department/First Responders and Memorial Hospital Emergency Medical Services all assisted at the scene.
