Two dead in head-on collision Thursday morning

Firefighters check the trunk of one of two vehicles which were involved in a fatal head-on collision near Fincastle Thursday morning. This photo was taken after extrication had been completed.

Banner Graphic/BRAND SELVIA

FINCASTLE – Two women are dead following a two-vehicle crash that occurred on U.S. 231 near Fincastle Thursday morning.

First responders were dispatched to the area of County Road 1000 North for a head-on collision with unknown injuries at about 7:45 a.m. The incident involved both a Hyundai Sonata and an Infiniti QX60 SUV, both of which were found in the southbound lane with heavy front-end damage.

With multiple people having witnessed the incident, it has been determined that the Sonata, driven by Heather Kendall, 38, Greencastle, was traveling northbound when it lost control coming around a sharp curve. The Sonata crossed the centerline and struck the southbound SUV, driven by Nancy Leonard, 58, Crawfordsville. Leonard was accompanied by Deborah Allen, 58, also of Crawfordsville.

Kendall was declared dead at the scene, while Allen was transported to an Indianapolis hospital and succumbed to her injuries. Leonard was also transported to an Indianapolis hospital with serious injuries.

Putnam County Sheriff’s Cpl. Scott Ducker told the Banner Graphic that the wet conditions are deemed a factor in the crash, and that speed is also being investigated as one.

Local responding agencies included the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Putnam County EMS and the Putnam County Coroner’s Office, as well as firefighters from the Bainbridge, Roachdale and Russellville volunteer fire departments.

Ducker said that an Indiana State Police reconstructionist was not at the scene, as measurements of the road would have been difficult due to the wet weather. However, he said a reconstructionist would assist with retrieving telemetry from the vehicles’ black boxes.

The road was shut down until about 10:20 a.m., during which time traffic was diverted at U.S. 36 on the southern end and at U.S. 236 to the north. The Indiana Department of Transportation assisted as such.

Meanwhile, Adams Towing picked up both vehicles.

Putnam County Sheriff’s Cpl. Brian Helmer is leading the investigation into the crash with Ducker assisting.