Tipton County – Today, at approximately 1:55 p.m., officers from the Indiana State Police, the Tipton County Sheriff’s Department, and the Sharpsville Police Department responded to a two vehicle crash on U.S. 31 at Tipton County Road 450 North, in which a Kokomo man was severely injured.
The preliminary crash investigation by Trooper Josh Tarrh revealed that Kenneth Randel, 61, Delphi, IN was driving a 2005 Mack semi-tractor, pulling a bulk trailer, eastbound on Tipton County Road 450 North. Randel failed to yield to cross traffic on U.S. 31 and pulled into the path of a southbound 2011 Ford F-150 pickup truck. The Ford, driven by Curtis Phillips, 34, Kokomo, IN, hit the Mack's trailer broadside on the driver's side. The Ford came to rest under the semi-trailer.
Phillips was flown from the crash scene, by a Lutheran Hospital medical helicopter, to an Indianapolis hospital. He sustained severe internal injuries. Randel was not injured.
This is an ongoing investigation, but at this time neither the use of alcohol nor narcotics is suspected as having contributed to this crash.
Randel was issued a traffic citation for failure to yield to cross traffic. He was hauling hog feed for Co Alliance based in Delphi, IN.
Trooper Tarrh was assisted at the crash scene by Trooper Adam Duffitt, Trooper Aaron Schaal, the Sharpsville Fire Department, Howard Regional EMS, and Tipton County EMA.
Three photos attached.
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