Bartholomew County-Yesterday evening, at approximately 5:00 PM, the Indiana State Police and Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department responded to a crash involving serious personal injury on County Road 550 North near Clifford.
According to the initial investigation by Trooper Matt Holley, a 2002 Hyundai passenger car driven by Tyler D. Downs, 26, Columbus was traveling westbound on County Road 550 North in Clifford. For an unknown reason, the vehicle left the south side of the roadway. The vehicle then struck a mailbox and a tree before overturning. The vehicle rolled at least twice before coming to a stop while inverted. During the crash, Downs was ejected from the vehicle.
Downs was transported by Lifeline Medical Helicopter to Methodist Hospital with life-threatening injuries. A female passenger, Catricia M. Hoard, 28, Elizabethtown and a two year old female passenger sustained minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene.
Downs was not believed to be wearing his seatbelt when the crash occurred. It is unknown if alcohol played a factor in the crash. This crash remains under investigation by Trp. Holley.
Trp. Holley was assisted at the scene by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, the Clifford Fire Department, Columbus Regional EMS, and Lifeline Medical Helicopter.
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