Identification made of I-70 crash victims

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

PUTNAM COUNTY -- The Indiana State Police and Putnam County Coroner's Office recently identified two victims from a fatal crash, which took place Sept. 2, near the 29-mile marker of Interstate-70.

The victims were thrown from their vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene after their eastbound vehicle crossed the median and was struck broadside by a westbound tractor-trailer.

The condition of the bodies prolonged the identification efforts needed to positively identify the driver and passenger.

An autopsy was performed Sept. 3 on both victims by Pathologist Dr. Roland Kohr at Terre Haute Regional Hospital.

However, positive identification of the victims was not made until Tuesday morning.

The driver was identified as Olber Roblero Gonzalez, 20, Terre Haute. Preliminary autopsy results revealed Gonzales died of blunt force trauma. The results of an alcohol test were positive, but the amount was insufficient for legal intoxication in Indiana.

The passenger was identified as Jacobo Monzon Vazquez, 22, Terre Haute. Autopsy results showed Vazquez also died of blunt force trauma and an alcohol test revealed his level to be above the legal limit.

Officials have not determined the reasoning for the vehicle to cross the median into westbound traffic and said the cause may never be known.

The driver of the tractor-trailer suffered minor injuries but refused medical treatment at the scene.

The white 1994 Pontiac Grand Prix with Ohio registration was registered to Vazquez.

The victims' families have been notified.

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