Bartholomew County-This afternoon, at approximately 12:50 pm, the Indiana State Police responded to a two vehicle personal injury crash at the intersection of County Road 900 North and County Road 350 East in Bartholomew County. As a result of the crash, a seventeen year old passenger in one of the vehicles sustained fatal injuries.
The initial investigation by Master Trooper Gary Thalls indicated that a 1995 Honda Accord being driven by Austin D. Wade, age 19, Hope, Indiana was traveling westbound on County Road 900 North, approaching the intersection to County Road 350 East. For an unknown reason, Wade pulled onto County Road 350 East into the path of a southbound 2005 Dodge truck pulling a 29 foot camper-trailer being driven by Eric W. Harper, age 36, Hope, Indiana. Harper’s vehicle struck the passenger side of Wade’s vehicle. Both vehicles left the roadway. Harper’s vehicle then overturned in a nearby field.
As a result of the collision, the front seat passenger in Wade’s vehicle, Allyssia A. Christman, age 17, Edinburgh, Indiana was air lifted to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana where she passed away as a result of the injuries she sustained. Wade was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital where he was treated and then released for minor injuries. Harper and two juveniles in his vehicle were uninjured in the crash.
The investigation is ongoing.
The Christman family has been notified.
M/Trp. Thalls was assisted by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, Columbus Fire Department, Clifford Fire Department, Columbus Regional Hospital EMS, and Lifeline Helicopter.
-30- SGT. STEPHEN WHEELES
