JENNINGS COUNTY, IN — Troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post responded to a three-vehicle head-on crash on US 50 in western Jennings County Friday morning that claimed the life of two people in one vehicle.
The initial investigation by troopers with the Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team indicated that a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, being driven by 19-year-old Halle S. Elliott of Louisville, Kentucky was traveling eastbound on US 50 near County Road 575 West between Seymour and North Vernon. For an unknown reason, Elliott’s vehicle crossed the center line into the path of a westbound 2014 Freightliner semi pulling a trailer, being driven by 28-year-old Jacob E. Hyman of North Vernon.
Elliott’s vehicle struck the rear of Hyman’s trailer. The collision caused Elliott’s vehicle to turn sideways into the path of a westbound 2019 Ford Edge being driven by 54-year-old Robert A. Keener of North Vernon. The front of Keener’s vehicle struck the passenger side of Elliott’s vehicle. Keener’s vehicle came to stop in the westbound lanes of US 50. Elliott’s vehicle overturned, coming to rest off the north side of the road.
Elliott and her front-seat passenger, 20-year-old Skyler S. Short of Hanover sustained fatal injuries in the collision. Both Elliott and Short were pronounced dead at the scene by the Jennings County Coroner’s Office. Hyman and Keener were not injured in the crash.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing by the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post Crash Reconstruction Team. Toxicology results are pending.
US 50 remained closed for approximately four hours for the crash investigation and cleanup.
ISP was assisted by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office, Jennings County EMS, Spencer Township Fire Department, Jennings County Coroner’s Office, and 31 Wrecker Service.
(Indiana State Police/Sgt. Stephen Wheeles press release)
