White County-Today at approximately 7:42 a.m. troopers from the Lafayette Post arrived at CR 300 East just north of CR 100 South (that is approximately three miles east of Brookston) where a John Deere tractor and two vehicles collided sending the driver of the tractor and the driver of one of the vehicles to the hospital.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Jared McQueary has revealed that a black 1997 Saturn SL driven by Mary C. Smith, 20 of Lafayette, IN was southbound on CR 300 East just north of CR 100 South. Smith failed to see a John Deere tractor model 4020 driven by Jimmy D. Blake, 60 of Brookston with its lights on. Smith’s car hit the left rear of the tractor spinning the Saturn into the path of a silver 2000 Chevrolet Silverado extended cab pickup driven by Kelly J. Wilson 37 of Lafayette which was traveling northbound.
The Saturn came to rest in the middle of the roadway. The tractor ended up in the field on the west side of the roadway with Blake being thrown from the tractor. The pickup ended up on the east side of the roadway. Smith was transported to IU Arnett Hospital in Lafayette with serious injuries. Blake was transported to IU White Memorial Hospital in Monticello with minor injuries. Wilson was not in injured. None of the vehicles were drivable and were towed or pulled from the scene. Seatbelts were in use in both of the passenger vehicles. The tractor did not have a cab on it.
No citations have been issued at this time. The crash is still under investigation. Assisting at the scene was the White County Sheriff’s Department, Brookston Fire and Ambulance, Monticello Ambulance and Farney’s Wrecker Service.
I do not have any pictures.
Suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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