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Crash
on 421 near Rexville claims life of one, badly injures two others
Cindy DiFazio, Staff Writer
According to Indiana State Police, a 1998 green Ford Explorer, driven
by 21-year old Timothy J. Halfhill of Taylor Mill, Kentucky was
traveling southbound on US 421 on the morning of Wednesday, March
28 at around 8:10 a.m. when he lost control on wet pavement. The
vehicle slid sideways south of CR 800S, leaving the roadway on the
east side. The Ford Explorer then jumped a ditch and struck a telephone
pole in the yard of 8055 S US 421. The Explorer was on its side,
causing the impact of the pole to be centered in the drivers
and front passengers compartment of the vehicle. The telephone
pole broke off raining power lines down on the crashed vehicle.
Rescue workers could not get to the victims until Duke Energy arrived
on the scene to ensure that power was off to the pole.
It took members of the Versailles Fire Department, New Marion Fire
Department and EMS personnel from Rescue 69 and Kings Daughters
Hospital approximately one hour to free Halfhill from the wreckage.
Front seat passenger, Michael E. Wayson, 44, of Alexandria, Kentucky,
was pronounced dead at the scene by the Ripley County Coroner. The
cause of death was determined to be head injuries he suffered on
impact.
Johnny R. Sebastian, 35, of Florence, Kentucky was riding in the
rear of the Explorer. He was able to free himself from the wreckage.
He suffered a broken leg and cracked pelvic bone.
Halfhill was transported to Kings Daughters Hospital
in Madison. He was later transferred to the University of Cincinnati
where he is listed in critical condition.
Preliminary investigation has led officers at the scene to believe
that speed as well as rain and wet roads were factors in the crash.
The Indiana State Police were assisted at the scene by the Ripley
County Sheriffs Department.
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GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO
One man was killed and two injured in a one-vehicle accident
Wednesday morning on US 421 and 800S at Rexville. Officers
say that speed and wet roads contributed to the crash. Power
lines fell on top of the 1998 Ford Explorer due to a telephone
pole being broken upon impact which complicated attempts
to free the driver and front-seat passenger.
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