One seriously injured in Friday collision

Debris is strewn across U.S. 231 near Detro Trailers as first responders work a collision at the intersection with U.S. 36 on Friday. One was seriously injured in the incident.

Banner Graphic/BRAND SELVIA

BAINBRIDGE — A Rockville man was severely injured in a collision with a dump truck at the intersection of U.S. 231 and U.S. 36 on Friday.

As units were dispatched at about 2:20 p.m. for a motor vehicle incident with injuries, the Bainbridge Volunteer Fire Department arrived on the scene to a pickup truck disabled with heavy front-end damage. The dump truck in question was stopped a short distance away.

Officers from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Bainbridge and Roachdale police departments, also responded, along with Putnam County EMS. The Indiana Department of Transportation also arrived to assist with traffic control.

A medical helicopter from Ascension St. Vincent StatFlight was quickly requested after the pickup truck driver, John Veach, 67, was found ejected and incapacitated with severe head bleeding. It was determined that he was not wearing his seatbelt.

The driver of the dump truck, Dawayne Turner, 33, Indianapolis, was not injured.

After the Greencastle Fire Department assisted with establishing a landing zone, Veach was flown from Lifespring Church. Firefighters also cleaned up a diesel spill.

According to a report by Cpl. Scott Ducker, a witness stated that Veach was traveling eastbound on U.S. 36 and approached the intersection as the light was green. Traveling northbound, Turner then approached and did not slow down before he collided with Veach’s vehicle.

A StatFlight medical helicopter lifts off from Lifespring Church with the patient after their transfer from Putnam County EMS.

Banner Graphic/BRAND SELVIA

Another witness stated that they were turning southbound from Detro Trailers as the light was yellow. Turner then reportedly ran the light as it turned red before he struck Veach’s vehicle.

Turner stated to Ducker that he believed the light was green as he drove through the intersection.

The intersection was shut down until about 4 p.m. while the sheriff’s office and an Indiana State Police reconstructionist investigated the scene. Meanwhile, Adams Towing and Curtis Wrecker were called to retrieve the pickup truck and the dump truck, respectively.

Turner was administered a blood draw. However, no charges were filed as of Monday morning.