JACKSON COUNTY, IN — Indiana State Police responded to a four-vehicle crash on US 31, south of Seymour that claimed the life of a Scott County man Wednesday afternoon.
The initial investigation by troopers with the Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team indicated that a 2005 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck driven by 43-year-old Ronnie Brickley Jr, of Scottsburg was traveling north on US 31 south of County Road 275 North. when, for an unknown reason, Brickley’s vehicle crossed the centerline into the path of a southbound 2015 Kenworth dump truck by 74-year-old Larry Pike of Seymour.
Brickley’s vehicle struck the side of Pike’s vehicle before it traveled into the path of a southbound 2020 Kenworth dump truck being driven by 31-year-old Nicolas Merritt of Seymour.
Despite Merritt taking evasive action, Brickley’s vehicle and Merritt’s vehicle struck head-on.
After the vehicles collided, Merritt’s vehicle left the roadway before coming to a stop.
Brickley’s vehicle came to rest on the road.
A fourth vehicle, a 2007 Kia Sportage, being driven by 62-year-old Lawanda Halfacre of Deputy, which was northbound on US 31 behind Brickley, sustained minor damage when it was struck by debris.
Brickley sustained fatal injuries in the crash. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jackson County Coroner’s Office.
Pike and Merritt were not injured in the crash. Halfacre sustained minor injuries in the collision.
Both dump trucks were owned by King’s Excavation of Seymour.
US 31 was closed for approximately four hours for crash investigation and cleanup.
Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be factors in the crash, but toxicology results are pending at this time.
The investigation is ongoing.
ISP was assisted at the scene by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Crothersville Police Department, Jackson County EMS, the Crothersville and Seymour fire departments, the Jackson County Coroner’s Office, and 31 Wrecker Service.
