One injured in three-vehicle wreck on U.S. 231

Her car totaled in the incident, a Greencastle woman was airlifted to Indianapolis following a three-vehicle crash Friday afternoon.

Banner Graphic/BRAND SELVIA

A Greencastle woman was airlifted to and Indianapolis hospital after her compact car was struck by two larger vehicles just north of Greencastle Friday afternoon.

At 1:21 p.m., Stacy Sparks, 41, was northbound on U.S. 231 at the intersection with County Road 25 South when her Ford Focus was rear-ended by a minivan, the impact of which pushed the small car into the southbound lane.

It then collided, partially head-on, with a Dodge pickup truck.

Putnam County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Ducker said Sparks was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown around in the car.

She had to be extricated by Greencastle firefighters. She was taken from the scene by Operation Life ambulance and later airlifted to Indianapolis.

Jonathan Dickison, 42, Indianapolis, told Ducker he was northbound in the Chevrolet minivan approaching the intersection. He said he took his eyes off the road for a second. When he looked up, he saw Sparks’ vehicle slowed or stopped.

Dickison applied his brakes but could not stop in time.

Tara Smith was southbound in the Dodge pickup when the car crossed into her lane. She tried to swerve around the car, but could not, leading to a partial head-on collision.

Ducker cited Dickison for following too closely.

Also on the scene helping with traffic were other sheriff’s deputies, as well as Greencastle Police and Indiana State Police.

The road remained closed for about 45 minutes as Curtis Towing retrieved the damaged vehicles and firefighters cleaned up the surface.