Peru – Tuesday, August 25, 2015, at approximately 12:25 p.m. officers from the Indiana State Police and the Miami County Sheriff’s Department responded to a three vehicle crash on U.S. 31 at State Road 218 (north junction), in which five people were injured.
The preliminary crash investigation by Indiana State Police Sergeant Rick Brown revealed that James Richards, 46, Trenton, OH, was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse northbound on U.S. 31, approaching a red stop light at State Road 218. Betty Harrell, 60, Bunker Hill, IN, was driving a 2003 Pontiac Vibe northbound on U.S. 31, behind the Chevrolet. The Chevrolet and the Pontiac were slowing down for the red stop light, at State Road 218, when the vehicles were rear-ended by a northbound 2014 International semi-tractor, pulling an empty box trailer. The semi-tractor was driven by Elmer Quinlan, 59, Greensburg, IN.
Richards was transported to Dukes Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Two passengers in the Traverse, Brenda Richards, 69, Trenton, OH, and Mary Gillespie, 82, Lebanon, OH, were also transported to Dukes Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A third passenger from the Traverse, James Richards, 78, Trenton, OH, was flown by medical helicopter, to a Ft. Wayne hospital. He suffered severe internal injuries. This morning, James Richards died from injuries sustained in the crash.
Herrell was transported to Dukes Memorial Hospital with a head laceration and body pain. Quinlan was not injured.
All participants in the crash were wearing seat belts. The investigation is ongoing, but neither the use of alcohol nor narcotics is suspected as having contributed to the crash.
Quinlan was driving for Midwest Logistics based in Celina, OH. He was issued a citation for following another vehicle too closely.
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