UPDATE: Accident results in two fatalities

Thursday, September 3, 2009
Traffic was stalled on Interstate-70 Wednesday morning following a two-vehicle accident. Two passengers in this white Pontiac Grand Prix were pronounced dead at the scene. (Brazil Times/JASON MOON)

PUTNAM COUNTY -- Autopsies were in the process of being conducted on two accident victims Wednesday morning.

The autopsies were being conducted by Dr. Roland Kohr at Terre Haute Regional Hospital.

Indiana State Police and others responded to the double fatality at approximately 8:22 a.m.

The accident took place on Interstate-70 at the Clay-Putnam County line near the 29-mile marker.

According to a press release provided by ISP, witnesses stated a 1994 white Pontiac Grand Prix with Ohio license plates was traveling eastbound on I-70 at a high rate of speed.

The driver of the vehicle apparently lost control and crossed the median into westbound traffic, striking a semi-truck.

The force of the impact broke the passenger car into two sections and both occupants were ejected from the vehicle.

The occupants, believed to be males, were pronounced dead at the scene by Putnam County Coroner Brian Hopkins.

Positive identification of the occupants of the vehicle could not be made at press time. Autopsy results were also unknown at press time.

The driver of the semi-truck, Michael E. Fedak, 46, Indianapolis, was hauling cargo from Indianapolis to East St. Louis, Ill. The truck was a white 2008 Freightliner.

According to ISP Public Information Officer/Recruiter Sgt. Joe Watts, Fedak complained of back pain at the scene but refused treatment at the scene. He was released.

Westbound traffic on I-70 from the Cloverdale exit at United States 231 to U.S. 40 to State Road 59 and then back to I-70.

Brazil Police Chief Dave Archer told The Brazil Times his office was notified at 10:40 a.m. that the westbound lane of I-70 had been reopened.

The crash is being investigated by ISP Trooper John Myers. He was assisted by troopers from the Terre Haute and Putnamville posts and ISP Crash Reconstructionists.

Also responding to the accident were members of both the Putnam and Clay County Sheriff's Departments, Putnam County Coroner's Office, Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Department, TransCare, Putnam County Operation Life, Clay County Coroner's Office, and the Reelsville Volunteer Fire Department.

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  • This is very sad. My sincerest symapathies go out to the family and friends of the victims. Regarding the driver of the truck. I haven't spoken to him yet, but my understanding is that he did everything he could to provide life-saving support to the victims...he had previous experience as an EMT and was a decorated special forces soldier(Army Rangers)...and is my brother. I know the victims were in very capable hands at the scene.

    -- Posted by jdfedak on Thu, Sep 3, 2009, at 8:48 AM
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