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240 closed for 6 hours after wreck

Thursday, June 17, 2010

By JARED JERNAGAN, Assistant Editor

Greencastle firefighters work on the passenger vehicle underneath the semi trailer.
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GREENCASTLE -- A two-vehicle accident left Veteran's Memorial Highway closed for about six hours Wednesday as authorities cleaned up the wreckage.

Donald Lundy, 43, of Beaver, Ohio was eastbound on Veteran's Memorial (State Road 240) in a 2010 International semi, when he collided with the 2000 Toyota Rav 4 driven by Rachelle Overbay, 19, of Roachdale.

Lundy advised he did not notice Overbay's vehicle until it was in front of him and it was too late to avoid the collision. Overbay only advised she was southbound on Percy Julian when her vehicle collided with the semi.

The collision carried both vehicles into the ditch on the south side of 240, where the tractor trailer came to rest on its side. Overbay's vehicle came to rest under the tail end of the trailer facing south.

This Walmart semi tractor overturned in a ditch on the south side of Veteran's Highway in an two-vehicle crash this morning. [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]
Putnam County Dispatch took the call at 8:15 a.m., and the Greencastle Police Department, Greencastle Fire Department and Operation Life were soon on the scene.

Both drivers were alert enough to give statements to the investigating officer and were transported to Putnam County Hospital. PCH confirmed both were treated and released.

With the drivers out of the vehicles, the job at hand was the removal of the cargo from the trailer, which was en route to Walmart Distribution. Workers from Walmart, with the help of GPD and GFD began removing the items from the overturned trailer and placing them in another.

Additionally, GFD Chief Bill Newgent reported the semi was leaking oil and antifreeze, while the passenger vehicle was leaking gasoline. Goode Excavating and Emergency Response was dispatched to help with spill cleanup.

Workers offload cargo from the damaged trailer.
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"What they do is remove some of the soil off, and then they pile it up on plastic. Then they'll come back and truck that stuff away," Newgent said.

Newgent said they had also put down absorbent booms and pads to soak up the oil, antifreeze and gas that got into the water.

"They dug holes to catch those chemicals in, and then they created and underflow dam. Oil floats on water, so it allows the water to flow underneath and catches the oil on top," he said. "They built a small one of those, and then they put booms and pads and things like that in the water to soak up any residual."

Curtis Towing from Little Point was also on scene to remove the semi.

Crews from the Indiana Highway Dept. and the Greencastle Street Dept. had barricades up and directed traffic to other routes.

Other responding agencies included the Putnam County Sheriff's Department, Indiana State Police, Putnam County Emergency Management and Walmart safety officials.

The damage estimate is over $50,000.

Comments

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They will put that stuff on clearance. Seriosly hope the drivers are o.k.

-- Posted by clint1991 on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 11:53 AM

The City has begged INDOT to put a light at that intersection. Maybe now?

-- Posted by localman on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 1:58 PM

The car looked very 'squished' under the trailer. I hope the driver is ok.....

-- Posted by BGreader on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 2:19 PM

I completely agree with localman. I would feel so much safer in the area if it had a light. And think of all the young, new drivers leaving school who take that way. It could only make things more safe, right? I hope both drivers are okay...

-- Posted by mrsking on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 2:21 PM

Kinda defeats the purpose of the highway if you plug it up with stoplights..

-- Posted by ZRXguy on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 3:07 PM

There are three schools, Middle school, high school and College that use that intersection. Untold busses and foot traffic. Hundreds of semi's and usual traffic. If this intersection does not need a light none of them do. All highways have traffic lights at reasonable locations. Interstates do not.

-- Posted by hardtobelieve on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 3:33 PM

I'd rather plug it up with stoplights then to see more of this happen! It's almost impossible to get across or to make a left turn and I see kids walking to school crossing here all the time. I live down Zinc Mill rd and I would love to see stoplight at this intersection! Ivy Tech and the middle/high school should be reason enough but it will probably take more accidents before something if anything will be done.

-- Posted by johndeeregreen on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 3:39 PM

They should have put a light there a long time ago. I have never been able to cross that intersection without almost getting hit due to limited visiblity, high traffic volume and people who treat that road like a drag strip.

-- Posted by LangdonUlger on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 5:27 PM

Stop lights an traffic controls will never replace good alert driving and common sense in reducing traffic accidents.

-- Posted by exhoosier2 on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 5:30 PM

The driver of the semi is good - just a small bump on head. Been walking and talking at hospital. Driver of SUV is at Methodist with broken bones, cuts and bruises but will be okay.

-- Posted by omowings on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 6:56 PM

INDOT has the opinion that this is a low priority intersection problem unless there has been a fatality and then they move it to high priority-the county has been through this with an intersection on Manhattan Road.....

-- Posted by bomtrax5 on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 7:36 PM

I think they should put a round-a-bout in, it's even safer than a stop light, studies show. But a stop light would be much better than nothing! Especially with the 3 schools that are right there. And with Woods Edge there's kids that walk to the MS and HS.

-- Posted by jminglert2 on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 10:29 PM

Rachelle was not actually released from hospital. She was transferred to Methodist. She has 2 places broken in her pelvis, broken collar bone, several cuts and a whole bunch of bruises. Stitches and staples in her head. Stitches in her arm. But by the grace of God only, she is alive.

-- Posted by omowings on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 10:40 PM

Wasn't the statement written about in this paper just a few days ago about "It will probably take a fatality at this intersection to get a traffic light installed here."?

-- Posted by alfr1 on Thu, Jun 17, 2010, at 1:18 AM

And now the new Ivy Tech school at this corner has built sidewalks for our children to use, to walk to school out of the street. Will there be a safe way for them to cross the Veteran's Memorial Highway?

-- Posted by alfr1 on Thu, Jun 17, 2010, at 1:24 AM

No stoplight will fix incompetance, I was setting at the stoplight at Wood street and was hit in the rear by a truck that was going up to 40mph! Caused me to have an aneurism, and then drove off and left me there. Being alert and using common sense are what make safe drivers.

-- Posted by BTruth1958 on Thu, Jun 17, 2010, at 7:47 AM

? Why does the headline read '240'? The accident did not occur on 240.

-- Posted by BGreader on Thu, Jun 17, 2010, at 8:16 AM

I think Veterans' Highway is 240. Also, no need to put 1, 2, 3, or 10 new stop lights. As many have said, smart driving is what is important.

-- Posted by GRNT on Thu, Jun 17, 2010, at 8:47 AM

I saw the car as the wrecker was pulling away, HOW IN THE WORLD she even survived is beyond words. And to be responsive....the young lady had God by her side in that vehicle, and this proves that there is a reason she should be here today. Also, a round-a-bout would be perfect for this intersection. They work wonders in Avon/Plainfield.

-- Posted by outdoorman on Thu, Jun 17, 2010, at 10:50 AM

@ BGreader: That part of the Highway actually is State Road 240 East. The State took control of that part of the roadway from 231 all the way to the stop light by Wal-Mart. The City only controlls from 231 west to Jackson Street (Manhattan Road) and only that part is actually Veteran's Highway. This is why INDOT HAS to give permission to put the stoplight up at that intersection, since it's a State Road and will be maintained by State workers.

-- Posted by voiceofreason2 on Thu, Jun 17, 2010, at 3:00 PM

A roundabout would do little for pedestrian safety; a signal would be better. Relying on everyone to practice "smart driving" is a pipe dream. Fix this before someone's child is struck.

-- Posted by VolunteerFF on Thu, Jun 17, 2010, at 5:42 PM

SOMEONE"S child was struck there the Cox's little girl couple years ago AND NOTHING was done! Lets do a study shouldn't take more then 4-6 months. Nothing was done. Those of us in the neighborhood were promised a light by the then Mayor before Ivy Tech would open, she is gone and no light. That intersection is in the City Limits the City has an Attorny and need to have her start the paperwork to force the issue. But this too will fade from memory and NOTHING will be done...

-- Posted by CastlePirate on Thu, Jun 17, 2010, at 9:03 PM

Well, I guess the city could go renegade and set 4 stop signs and make it a 4-way stop. Then see what action the state takes.

-- Posted by exhoosier2 on Fri, Jun 18, 2010, at 12:38 PM

roundabout? stoplight? stopsigns? how about people start payin attention when they are driving instead of talkin on ther cell phones or textin or readin the paper and all the other lil things everybody does while driving. wouldnt have so many accidents if people would just pay attention. But...ya....like that will ever happen.

-- Posted by justmoveonwillya on Sat, Jun 19, 2010, at 9:39 AM

GOD WAS RIDING IN THIS CAR WITH HIS HAND ON HIS CHILD

-- Posted by ironmaiden on Sat, Jun 19, 2010, at 9:48 AM

I hate those roundabouts. I use them correctly, but good luck getting everyone else to obey the rules as they should. I know it decreases congestion and lowers insurance, but have you ever seen how people in Avon drive 40 mph around those things? Ridiculous. Put in a stoplight, or post a policeman there after school. It scares me to death to think of children crossing that street, or teenage drivers trying to turn left against the oncoming factory traffic (and speaking of people that can't drive...)

-- Posted by MsBehaving on Tue, Jun 22, 2010, at 10:21 AM

I think that the girl in the wreck was very lucky and for those who don't know her personally do not judge her. She is so full of life and fun and free spirited. I think shes a great friend and I am glad shes doing as well as she is. So please think before you speak if you do not someones feeling could get hurt. If you wouldn't want it said to you don't say it about anyone else. I know for a fact she wants to live shes not suicidal and shes a great friend who is awesome. So before you judge someone please remember its not for you to do... There's only one judge and he was with her that morning. Thank God your alive I do daily though some don't know you and some just don't care about others feelings they need to grow up really and get to know someone they wouldn't before people really do surprise you. I have made many new friends and love all of my friends. I think we all need to make her know we are thankful shes alive and with us today she is a true survivor who is strong and stubborn but I love her:)

-- Posted by Friend2many on Tue, Aug 3, 2010, at 6:05 PM