Lawrence County, Indiana — A one-vehicle crash early Saturday morning left a 15-year-old Oolitic boy dead and two fellow teens hospitalized. The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office reported that the 15-year-old male driver tragically lost control of his vehicle while navigating a curve on Bartlettsville Road. This loss of control resulted in the vehicle veering off the road and colliding with a tree. A front-seat passenger, 15-year-old Reginald Ray from Oolitic, tragically lost his life at the accident scene. The driver, whose identity is protected, was airlifted to Riley Hospital due to severe head and internal injuries. A 17-year-old backseat passenger managed to exit the vehicle and seek assistance. They were subsequently transported to IU Health in Bedford for further medical attention. Reports suggest that the young driver possessed a valid Indiana learner’s permit. However, it is believed that the conditions of the permit might have been violated. Initial indications point towards unsafe speed and the potential consumption of alcoholic beverages as contributing factors to the accident. The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that investigations are ongoing to unravel the full details surrounding this devastating incident.
