Brazil man extricated from car after rear-ending dump truck

MANHATTAN — A Brazil man had to be extricated from his vehicle Tuesday morning after rear-ending a stopped dump truck on U.S. 40.

Richard Hassler, 63, Reelsville, had been eastbound in a 2005 Kenworth T800 dump truck registered to Hassler Trucking.

Hassler told Deputy Brian Helmer he had stopped on the shoulder and exited the vehicle due to the cab of the truck in front of him filling with smoke.

John Brush, 52, Brazil, was eastbound in a 1997 Toyota Camry when he rear-ended the parked dump truck.

The impact trapped Brush in the vehicle and he had to be extricated by the Greencastle Fire Department.

Operation Life took him to Putnam County Hospital then on to Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, for treatment of internal injuries.

With Brush taken to Indianapolis, Helmer was not able to speak to him. However, the deputy observed that the sun would have made visibility difficult for eastbound passengers at that time of day. Additionally, there were no skid marks, indicating that Brush likely did not see the dump truck.

Indiana State Police Inspector Bernie Cook took the dump truck to the Putnamville Post for inspection. He said he found a couple of mechanical issues that should have been addressed before the vehicle left the shop.

Additionally, Cook said that he realized that Hassler was running to check for fire but he should have placed hazard triangles out upon parking his vehicle.

Damage was estimated at $50,000-$100,000.