Baby also dead after S.R. 42 collision last Tuesday

The aftermath of the two-vehicle crash that occurred on State Road 42 southeast of Cloverdale last Tuesday.

Banner Graphic/BRAND SELVIA

CLOVERDALE — A baby involved in the head-on collision which occurred on State Road 42 last Tuesday morning has died.

First responders were called to the iron bridge crossing Mill Creek for a two-vehicle crash in which Gary Bailey, 72, of the Cloverdale area, and Billie Hatton, 21, of the Spencer area, both died from their injuries.

While the impact killed Bailey, Hatton had a faint pulse when paramedics got to her. Automated chest compressions were performed, but Hatton could not be revived.

Hatton’s eight-month-old daughter Ruby was with her when the crash occurred. She was flown by a StatFlight helicopter to Riley Hospital in Indianapolis and was in intensive care. However, Putnam County Sheriff Scott Stockton told the Banner Graphic on Saturday that she died from her injuries Friday evening.

According to a witness, Bailey was driving westbound approaching the bridge when he crossed over the center line. Hatton was going eastbound when she tried to avoid hitting Bailey’s vehicle by going into the opposite lane. Bailey then reportedly overcorrected and collided head-on into Hatton’s vehicle.

The witness also stated that Bailey’s vehicle appeared to be traveling at an excessive speed before the collision occurred.

Autopsies on Bailey and Hatton were performed last Wednesday. Putnam County Coroner Jon Myers told the Banner Graphic last Thursday that both succumbed from blunt force trauma.

Myers also stated that toxicology reports for both are pending.