Good Samaritan dies after being struck by passing vehicle

Responders clean up following a Monday night crash on Interstate 70 that killed a Terre Haute man attempting to help another motorist. John Dugger, 22, died from injuries sustained when he a passing SUV hit him as he was trying to help the driver of a 2009 GMC Yukon (right). (Courtesy of Indiana State Police)

REELSVILLE -- A Terre Haute man died Tuesday morning from injuries sustained Monday evening as he was helping a stranded motorist on Interstate 70.

John D. Dugger, 22, was hit by a passing SUV in the westbound driving lane of I-70 near the 32-mile marker. He was airlifted to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Andrea Dugger, 25, a passenger in John Dugger's vehicle, was also injured.

At 10:42 p.m., state and local agencies were dispatched to the crash in western Putnam County.

Preliminary investigation revealed a 2009 GMC Yukon, driven by Erica Driedger of Seminole, Texas, had run out of gas and was stopped on the emergency shoulder. Her husband, Johnny Driedger, went to a nearby house for help and when he returned, the battery on the GMC was not functioning.

The Duggers stopped to help, and the two men decided to push the GMC up to Dugger's 2012 Volkswagen to attempt a jump start of the GMC. Johnny Driedger was partially sitting behind the steering wheel of the Yukon, pushing with one foot.

The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse driven by Terry Scarbrough of Farmersburg struck and killed a Terre Haute man as he attempted to help a stranded motorist Monday night on Interstate 70. No flashers were in use on the disabled vehicle and the victim is believed to have stepped into the driving lane of the interstate. No citations were issued in the crash. (Courtesy of Indiana State Police)

John Dugger was pushing from the rear of the vehicle and is believed to have stepped into the driving lane to converse with Johnny Driedger. While briefly in the lane, Dugger was struck by a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse driven by 55-year-old Terry Scarbrough of Farmersburg.

The impact forced Dugger airborne over both the GMC and the Volkswagen, ultimately landing on Andrea Dugger, who was standing in front of the Volkswagen.

Andrea Dugger was taken to Methodist Hospital for a lower leg injury.

The Duggers' Volkswagen was parked in front of Driedger's GMC, and the GMC did not have emergency flashers activated as the vehicle's battery was not functioning.

No citations were issued.

The crash was investigated by ISP Trooper Brian Thomas. Assisting were ISP Troopers Tim Rader, T.J. Henning and Michael Featherling, Putnam County Sheriff's Office, Putnam County Operation Life, Cloverdale Police Department, Reelsville and Cloverdale fire departments and IU Health air ambulance.