MITCHELL – Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department deputies are investigating a crash that claimed the lives of two people, and two more were seriously injured and airlifted to local hospitals following a two-vehicle crash Friday morning.
Deputies with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office responded shortly after 10:00 a.m. to State Road 37 near Gun Club Road in Mitchell in response to reports of a serious two-vehicle crash.
Preliminary information indicates a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu, which had three passengers inside, was traveling south on State Road 37. At the same time, a 2006 Dodge Ram truck was driving north on State Road 37.
AtThe Chevrolet, driven by Jordon Williams, 32, of Paoli, drove left of center at an excessive speed to pass an uninvolved vehicle turning right from southbound State Road 37 into a private driveway.
While attempting to pass the turning vehicle, the Chevrolet collided with a Dodge truck driven by 21-year-old Brighton Ames of Paoli.
Police say the roadway was marked with a double yellow line for a “no passing zone”
The resulting impact caused the Dodge truck to go airborne off the right side of the roadway and overturn.
The Chevrolet suffered “catastrophic” damage before coming to a halt in the middle of State Road 37.
Ames was rescued from the Dodge truck by the Bedford Fire Department and airlifted to a hospital in Indianapolis to receive treatment for serious injuries.
The driver of the Chevrolet, 32-year-old Jordon Williams of Paoli, along with a passenger, 73-year-old Gunther Oberth of Orleans, were pronounced deceased at the scene.
The third occupant inside the Chevrolet was 28-year-old Tanaea Harkness, and she was freed from the wreckage by the Marion Township Fire Department and transported via airlift to a Louisville hospital.
State Road 37 remained closed until 2:00 p.m. Friday so crash reconstructionists and detectives could investigate the crash.
The Mitchell Police Department, Marion Township Fire Department, Mitchell Fire Department, Bedford Fire Department, IU Health EMS, IU Health Lifeline, AirEvac, and Jackson’s Heavy Haul Wrecker Service all assisted at the scene.
