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 driver’s and front passenger’s 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 King’s 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 King’s 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 Sheriff’s Department.
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.