Crash claims life of Milan man

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

According to information from Sgt. Noel Houze of the Indiana State Police, a head on crash claimed the life of Wess A. Lovins, 31, of Milan, Sunday night about 11:00 p.m.

Police were dispatched to US 50 in Elrod after a 911 call came in reporting a serious crash there.
Trooper Brian Earls responded to the report to find a 1997 Buick Century driven by Lovins had been traveling westbound on US 50 when for unknown reasons the vehicle went left of center and struck an eastbound 2011 Freightliner semi head on. The semi tractor was pulling a box trailer.

Lovins was pinned in his vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. He suffered massive trauma, according to a representative from the Ripley County Coroner’s office.

The driver of the semi, Tommy Lee Wilson III, 31, of Milledgeville, GA and a co-driver, Stanley E. Short, 50, of Culloden, GA, were both transported to Margaret Mary Community Hospital in Batesville complaining of pain.

US 50 was closed for nearly six hours as officers investigated the crash and workers were able to clear the wreckage so motorists could safely pass through. The road opened Monday morning, May 2 about 5 a.m.
Tpr. Earls was the investigating officer and was assisted at the scene by other troopers, Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, Milan Police Department, Milan Fire Department, Ripley County EMS, Ripley County Coroner’s Office, and the Indiana Department of Transportation. The crash remains under investigation.
Funeral arrangements are pending at Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles.