"UPDATE" The driver of the Chevrolet Malibu and passengers were Jacqueline M. Covault, 24 of Hillsboro, IN and her two children, Christopher A. Blanchard Jr, 4 and Hayden Blanchard, 2. Condition of the family is improving. The original release is below.
Fountain County-Today at approximately 10:11 a.m. at the intersection of US 41/US 136, a pickup truck and a car collide sending a mother and two children to the hospital.
Preliminary investigation by Senior Trooper Josh Edwards has revealed that a white 2015 Ford pickup owned by United Rentals of Indianapolis and driven by Gerald W. Sheppard II, 38 of Morgantown, IN was NB on US 41 approaching a stop sign. Sheppard allegedly failed to stop for the stop sign and ran into the side of a gold 2000 Chevrolet Malibu traveling WB on US 136. The female driver and her two small children passengers were transported with life threatening injuries to Franciscan St. Elizabeth Hospital in Crawfordsville and then the mother was transported to Methodist Hospital and the two children were transported to Riley Hospital. Both hospitals are in Indianapolis. Sheppard was not injured in the crash. Neither alcohol nor drugs appear to be a factor but tests are pending. Sheppard was wearing a seatbelt and the children were in car seats. It is unknown at this time if the mother was seat belted or not. The investigation is continuing.
Assisting at the scene were the Fountain County Sheriff’s Department, Fountain County EMS, Covington Police Department, Veedersburg Police Department and units from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
The names of the mother and children will not be released until family has been notified. Sorry, no pictures.
Suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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