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Last updated on Tuesday, December 20, 2011
(TERRE HAUTE) - The name of a motorist who died Friday in a three-car crash on U.S. 40 at Seelyville has been released by authorities.
Nicholas Ellis, 25, of Brazil, died of blunt force trauma to the chest, according to Vigo County Coroner Dr. Roland Kohr.
As he stopped to turn south onto Tabortown Road, the westbound Chevrolet Camaro that Ellis was driving was rearended by a Mitsubishi Galant driven by Dustin B. Tubbs, Terre Haute.
That impact caused the fuel tank of the Camaro to rupture, said Clark Cottom, chief deputy of the Vigo County Sheriff's Department.
The initial impact caused the car to rotate into the eastbound lanes of the four-lane highway, where it was then struck by an eastbound Chevrolet Malibu driven by Stephanie T. Johnson, Seelyville.
The Camaro was engulfed in flames by the time emergency personnel arrived at the scene. Ellis died at the scene.
The highway pavement shows burn marks from the first point of impact with the Galant to the Camaro's final resting place at the southwest corner of the intersection.
Cottom stated that both Johnson and Tubbs were treated for injuries at Union Hospital and then released. Tubbs was ticketed for "following too closely."
The investigation into the accident continues, Cottom said.
Any witnesses to the collision that occurred at about 2:30 p.m. are asked to call the Vigo County Sheriff's Department at (812) 462-3226
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