Teen succumbs to injuries sustained in Wednesday crash

The teenager seriously injured in a Wednesday afternoon crash in northern Putnam County died overnight Thursday.

Dylan Hess, 17, Coatesville, was ejected from the passenger car he was driving around 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

His death was acknowledged by North Putnam High School Principal Jason Chew in an online video message to the community.

“We lost a good friend of our community, a good student — great student — an athlete in our community,” Chew said. “It’s been a trying week for many of us.”

Hess was set to begin his senior year at North Putnam.

“I’ll tell you that Dylan is well loved. His family is well loved. I believe that they know that,” Chew said. “I believe that they feel the love and compassion that has been expressed over the last few days and they have to process this as well.”

Hess reportedly lost control of his car while eastbound near 5018 E. CR 900 North, between New Maysville and Pine Bluff Covered Bridge. The 1998 Toyota Camry left the north side of the road and entered a cornfield.

The car rolled several times, ejecting Hess before coming to rest on top of him.

Troopers and bystanders attempted multiple times to free the victim, but efforts were not successful until fire and rescue personnel utilized heavier rescue equipment.

He was transported to Hendricks Regional Health for treatment of life-threatening injuries. He was then airlifted to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.

On Friday, the principal used his forum to do his best at providing comfort to a grieving community.

“I wish I had words. I wish we could all make it better. But there are no words,” Chew said. “You’d like to say you’re going to return to normal or you’re going to feel normal at some point. But anytime you’ve had a loss there is no going back to normal.

“It’s a new normal and creating a new normal. That’s what we have to do over the next days, weeks, months is figure out what that new normal is without this great young man in our life or in our community.”

Hess was a three-sport athlete at North Putnam in football, basketball and track. He and two other boys were reportedly on the way to football practice when the wreck occurred.

The other two teens, ages 17 and 16, were not seriously injured.

“Everyone’s going to go through these emotions differently,” Chew said. “We just have to be here to support each other, to support our students and to support our kids.”

A celebration of life will be held at the North Putnam High School at 8869 N. CR 250 East, Roachdale, on Wednesday, July 5, 2017. Dylan's family will receive friends from 3-7 p.m. with the ceremony to start at 7 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the A. Dylan Hess #14Strong Memorial Scholarship Fund at North Putnam High School. Envelopes will be available at the school and can also be mailed to the A. Dylan Hess #14Strong Memorial Scholarship Fund, North Putnam High School, 8869 N. CR 250 East, Roachdale, IN 46172.