Tractor-Trailer Crashes into ISP Patrol Car, Two Troopers Injured
Vanderburgh County – Wednesday morning at approximately 9:10, Troopers Kylen Compton and Taylor Fox were assisting the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Department at a property damage crash involving a semi and a passenger vehicle on I-69 southbound near the 17 mile-marker. Troopers Compton and Fox were in a 2011 Dodge Charger. Their patrol car was parked in the passing lane diverting traffic into the driving lane. Emergency red and blue lights were activated on their patrol car and southbound traffic had been moving over to the driving lane without any problems. Gary Pride, 67, of Otwell, was driving his 2007 Peterbilt tractor-trailer southbound on I-69 and for unknown reasons failed to move over and collided into the rear of the patrol car. After the initial impact, the patrol car was pushed across both lanes and into the guardrail on the west side of I-69. The tractor-trailer drove into the driving lane striking a 2013 Volvo that was traveling south in the driving lane. The Volvo came to a final rest on the shoulder. The tractor-trailer then struck the guardrail and the concrete bridge wall on the west side before rolling onto its driver’s side and partially onto the 2013 Volvo. The tractor-trailer was hauling a load of soybeans, which spilled over both southbound lanes. The truck driver and the driver of the Volvo, JoAnna Cochren, 45, of Petersburg, was not injured. Both troopers were transported to Deaconess Gateway Hospital where they were treated for minor injuries and later released. Pride was cited for failing to yield the right of way to a stationary emergency vehicle.
I-69 southbound at SR 57 is still CLOSED while crews clean up the crash site.
Troopers typically patrol solo, but Fox is a new trooper and he’s currently working with other troopers during his training process.
Injured Troopers:
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Senior Trooper Kylen Compton, 35
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Trooper Taylor Fox, 25
Investigating Officer: Trooper Matt Jacobs
Assisting Officers: Sgt. Kevin Brown, Sgt. Kevin Ellison, Master Trooper John Puskas, Trooper John Davis, Trooper Josh Greer and Senior Trooper Matt Lockridge
Assisting Agency: Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Department
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