Impaired driver strikes work crew in Vigo County

Emergency workers investigate a crash in a construction zone Thursday morning in Terre Haute. A West Terre Haute man was arrested for injuring two workers while driving under the influence of alcohol.

TERRE HAUTE -- Two highway workers were injured Thursday morning when an impaired driver struck the vehicle in which they were working.

At 8:46 a.m., Indiana State Police troopers and Terre Haute emergency agencies responded to the two-vehicle crash on eastbound Interstate 70 near the seven-mile marker.

Preliminary investigation revealed a 2005 Toyota pickup was eastbound on I-70 when it struck two orange construction barrels placed near the center of the roadway and entered the passing lane, which was closed for construction.

The Toyota continued in the closed lane for more than a quarter mile before striking a parked, 1999 Ford pickup in the rear. The parked truck was occupied by two Wabash Valley Asphalt employees working in the passing lane.

The impact forced both vehicles into the median approximately 68 feet from the initial collision point.

The right (driving lane) was the only lane open for normal traffic. INDOT and the construction companies had numerous signs and electronic arrow boards in place to warn motorists of the closed lane.

The driver of the Toyota was Stephen C. Harrold, 63, of West Terre Haute. Harrold was not injured, but a preliminarily test for alcohol revealed Harrold to have a .54-percent blood alcohol content, nearly seven times the legal limit.

To be legally intoxicated in Indiana requires a driver to test .08 percent or higher.

Harrold was medically cleared from a local hospital and incarcerated in the Vigo County Jail on two counts of injury to a highway worker, both D felonies; one count of driving while intoxicated (above .15 percent), A misdemeanor; and one count of driving while intoxicated, C misdemeanor.

The Ford pickup owned by Wabash Valley Asphalt was driven by John M. Gabbard, 30, of Terre Haute. Gabbard complained of minor pain and sought medical treatment on his own.

The passenger was Michael K. Crossley, 34, of Clinton. Crossley was transported by other employees to Terre Haute Regional Hospital for complaint of rib and internal pain. He was treated and released.

The crash was investigated by ISP Sgt. Joe Watts. Assisting at the scene were troopers Brian Thomas, Mike Wood, Ritch Reynolds and Jason Schoffstall, along with the Terre Haute Police and Fire Departments.