A driver’s inattention is believed to be the cause of a two vehicle crash Tuesday morning that sent both driver’s to the hospital. Indiana State Police Say just after 7:30 am Tuesday 36 year old Lesley Smith of Dale was stopped in northbound traffic along US 231 just north of Interstate 64, waiting for a vehicle in front of her to turn into a private drive.
Police say as the truck turned and had cleared the roadway, Smith let her foot off the brake of her passenger car to continue traveling north when she was rear ended by a pick-up truck, driven by 51 year old Karrie Eckert of Huntingburg. Eckert, at the last moment, noticed traffic was stopped but was unable to stop or avoid the collision. Both drivers were transported to Memorial Hospital in Jasper for treatment of their injuries.Both vehicles were a total loss.
Police say the use of seat belts and airbag deployment helped to reduce further injuries to both Smith and Eckert. US 231 was closed for nearly 45 minutes while the crash was investigated and crews cleaned up the scene.
State Police were assisted at the scene by the Dubois County Sheriff’s Department, the Saint Henry Fire Department and Memorial Hospital EMS
