WBIW.com News - local

Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana

Reward Offered For Information About Driver Of Fatal Accident

Last updated on Wednesday, August 20, 2014

(BEAN BLOSSOM) - Someone knows something about the driver that fled the scene of a fatal accident on June 1.

Bob Rice believes the driver should come forward. He is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the driver, who struck and killed his 36-year-old stepson, Chad Demuth of Bloomington.

Demuth left the John Hartford Memorial Festival at Bill Monroe Music Park in Bean Blossom on foot in the early hours of June 1.

While he was walking south along State Road 135 North near Hurdle Road, a pickup truck slammed into him from behind. The impact threw him 140 feet, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death was blunt-force trauma.

Brown County Detective Scott Southerland has spent hours attempting to track down the driver. He has some evidence, but needs the public's help.

Police say the accident happened between 12:20 a.m. and 2:20 a.m.

A passer-by discovered Demuth's body in yard about 20 feet off the highway.

Through evidence gathered from the crash scene, including from the clothing Demuth was wearing, the Indiana State Police lab determined the truck could be a black 1988 to 1997 Chevrolet or GMC C1500 or W/T model truck. The truck also could be a different color with a bumper that is painted black.

Police say all information is valuable, no matter how little the person may think it is.

If a resident knows someone who used to drive a truck that matches the description or if someone with a similar truck recently had body work done to the vehicle's passenger side, should call Southerland at 988-6655, ext. 2106.

For those wanting to remain anonymous, messages can be left on the tip line at 988-6620.

The family set up a Facebook page called, "Who Killed Chad DeMuth?"

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Click here to go back to previous page