Just before 3 pm yesterday afternoon at 2:52 pm the Dubois County Sheriffs Department received a call that a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle at or near the intersection of State Road 56 and CR550 West.
Ireland Fire/First Responders and EMS were dispatched to the area and responded to the scene within moments, with first responders and a off duty Sheriff Deputy arriving approximately 3 minutes after the initial call.
As units arrived on scene they found 83 year old Morris Weidenbenner laying in the roadway. Weidenbenner had been struck by a Chevrolet Silverado C1500 truck driven by 59 year old David Hill of Petersburg, that was traveling West on SR 56.
Approximately by 2:57 other units started arriving on the scene. With the Dubois County Sheriff Dept responding along with Memorial EMS.
The Ireland Fire Dept assisted in shutting down SR 56 for an extended time.
The Dubois county Coroner was requested and responded to the scene, Weidenbenner was reported as deceased on the scene.
The Dubois County Sheriff Department spoke to witnesses and Hill, and after an initial investigation found that there appears to be no fault to this tragic accident.
Evidence and witness statements lead Deputies to believe that the Weidenbenner was crossing the roadway, when he was struck by a west bound Pickup truck. Hill stated that he saw Weidenbenner and attempted to avoid striking him, but that it was too late.
The driver of the Pickup truck was transported to Memorial Hospital. The vehicle was towed by Uebelhors.
Dubois County Sheriff Dept would like to express their gratitude to all those who assisted at the scene; Memorial EMS, Ireland Fire/First Responders, and Uebelhors wrecker service.
The Dubois County Sheriff Department also stated sympathy goes out to all involved in this tragic accident.
