Heavy smoke from smoldering hay left over from a Monday afternoon barn fire is believed to have been a factor in a five vehicle rear-end collision this morning along Schnellville Road.
Deputies with the Dubois County Sheriff’s Department were called to the scene of the crash about 3 quarters of a mile east of Santine Road in St. Anthony just after 8:30 am today.
Authorities say visibility in the area was extremely poor and was about 30 to 50 feet when officers arrived.
They say the poor visibility was caused from smoke from the hay barn fire that occurred at the Pund Farm Monday afternoon on Santine Road, North of Schnellville Road about one mile from the crash site.
Deputies say weather conditions overnight caused the smoke to hover near the ground and cover a distance of up to 5 miles away.
A passenger car driven by 19-year old Jalynn Williams of Birdseye encountered the smoke and slowed and turned on her hazard lights. She was then rear-ended by a pickup driven by 18-year old Desin Berg also of Birdseye who was then rear-ended by a passenger car driven by 75-year old Gale Nunn of Eckerty, pushing Berg’s truck back into the rear of William’s car.
After the first collision a fourth vehicle driven by Ivan Akins of Birdseye rear-ended Nunn’s vehicle which deputies say was offset to the left, while the 5th vehicle involved, a passenger car driven by 89-year old Helen Theising of Schnellville rear-ended Nunn’s car deputies say was offset to the right.
Williams complained of pain to the head, Berg was not injured, Atkins complained of shortness of breath and Theising suffered a small cut to her hand. All refused treatment at the scene.
David Nunn who complained of pain to the right hip and shoulder was taken by ambulance to Memorial Hospital in Jasper for treatment of his injuries and was released a short time later.
David’s wife Gale Nunn who was accompanying her husband to the hospital decided to seek treatment while she was at Memorial Hospital as well. She was also released a short time later.
No charges were filed.
Schnellville Road was closed for about an hour and a half while the scene was cleared and the smoke lifted.
Deputies were assisted at the scene by Celestine First Responders, St. Anthony First Responders, the Dubois County Highway Department, and Memorial EMS.
