Dog wandering onto I-70 causes car-semi accident

LITTLE POINT -- A stray dog wandering onto Interstate 70 Monday morning caused a car-semi accident, Indiana State Police at Putnamville reported.

ISP troopers and emergency agencies responded to the accident about 9:25 a.m. near the 51-mile marker of I-70 in western Morgan County.

The crash occurred just east of the Putnam-Morgan county line, resulting in injuries to one of the drivers and the death of the canine.

Preliminary investigation by ISP Trooper Adam Edwards indicated a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Peggy St-John, 52, Cloverdale, was eastbound in the passing lane near the 51-mile marker when the dog entered the roadway from the south.

St-John abruptly applied her brakes, reportedly coming to a near stop, and was struck in the rear by a 2012 Freightliner tractor-trailer driven by Douglas E. Phillips, 52, West Terre Haute.

The tractor was pulling an empty grain trailer. The tractor and trailer are owned by Graham Feed of Terre Haute.

St-John was transported by Putnam County Operation Life ambulance to St. Vincent South in Indianapolis with neck injuries. Phillips was not injured.

The dog was struck during the crash and perished.

ISP Master Trooper Matt Ames conducted a commercial motor vehicle inspection of the tractor-trailer and driver and found no deficiencies.

Assisting in the accident investigation were ISP Master Trooper David Furnas, the Morgan County Sheriff's Office and the Jefferson Township Fire Department.

Trans Care Ambulance was passing the scene as the crash occurred and rendered aid until the arrival of Putnam County Operation Life.