(Decatur County, IN) – A man is dead following a multi-vehicle crash that happened on the 5,000 block of Old U.S. 421 shortly after 7 a.m. Friday.
The Decatur County Sheriff’s Office says deputies determined that a 2012 Ford F-350 pulling a flatbed trailer, driven by 51-year-old Bradley Jon Hughes of Westport, was northbound on 421 when the trailer became detached from the truck for unknown reasons.
The trailer came rest in the southbound lane of U.S. 421.
A 2015 Ford Escape driven by 59-year-old William Dale Blackburn of Shelbyville, was southbound when it struck the trailer head-on.
A Honda Civic traveling behind the Escape and driven by 28-year-old Nathan Andrew Rump of Shelbyville, hit the trailer following the initial collision.
Blackburn was pronounced dead at the scene.
There were no other injuries reported.
Alcohol and drug use are not suspected to have been a contributing factor.
The crash remains under investigation.
The following agencies assisted at the scene:
- Indiana State Police
- Decatur County EMS
- Greensburg Fire Department
- St. Paul Volunteer Fire Department
- Adams Volunteer Fire Department
- St. Paul Marshal’s Office
- Decatur County Coroner’s Office
- Decatur County Emergency Management
- Platinum Wrecker Service
- Tim’s Wrecker Service
“Decatur County first responders extend their sincere condolences to the family and friends of William Dale Blackburn during this difficult time,” reads a statement put out by the sheriff’s office.
