Tuesday afternoon, June 18, 2019, at approximately 2:53 p.m., four INDOT workers escaped a serious vehicle accident with minor injuries. The accident occurred on Interstate 70 westbound near the 48.5 mile marker in Putnam county.
Preliminary investigation by Master Trooper Dujan Presley-Mcfadden indicates that an INDOT truck, located in the emergency lane with its emergency lights activated, was working westbound on Interstate 70 near the 48.5 mile marker. The INDOT workers were performing road maintenance in the area. The driver of the INDOT truck, John Sadler, 39, of Reelsville, Indiana, stated that through his rearview mirror, he observed a pickup truck travel off the driving lane of the Interstate and onto the emergency lane. The driver of this vehicle, Aaron L. Cass, 40, of Bowling Green, Indiana, was traveling westbound on Interstate 70 near the 48 mile marker, when for an unknown reason he drifted out of the driving lane and into the emergency lane. Cass was traveling at a high rate of speed. Sadler stated that he was able to observe Cass’s pickup truck continue its path, traveling westbound in the emergency lane, eventually striking the INDOT truck in the rear. The impact of this collision caused the INDOT truck to roll over on its roof top. Due to injuries sustained from the accident, one occupant of the INDOT truck was transported to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, and three occupants were transported to Regional Hospital in Terre Haute. None of the injuries are believed to be life threatening. Cass, and a passenger in his vehicle, received injuries from the accident and were transported to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis by an air ambulance. Cass was unable to be interviewed by Master Trooper Pressley-McFadden due to medical services being rendered.
Cass received a citation for Unsafe Lane Movement.
The Indiana State Police wants to remind drivers of the “MOVE OVER LAW” which requires drivers to move to an adjacent lane away from the emergency workers when possible. If the lane is occupied, then reduce your speed to 10 MPH below the posted speed limit and proceed through the area with caution, so that a safe working environment can be provided for the emergency personnel working.
