Duke Energy workers hurt in crash Tuesday

A car is heavily damaged after it crashed into Duke Energy trucks Tuesday morning. Three workers were hurt in the incident.

Courtesy Reelsville Volunteer Fire Department

REELSVILLE — Three Duke Energy workers were hurt Tuesday morning after a driver crashed into their work trucks in a work zone near Reelsville.

First responders were dispatched north of U.S. 40 to the area of 7235 S. CR 800 West for a motor vehicle incident with injuries at about 9:50 a.m. On their arrival, they found that a Mercedes-Benz passenger car had crashed between Duke Energy vehicles.

Putnam County Sheriff’s Cpl. Scott Ducker told the Banner Graphic that witnesses observed the southbound car, driven by Thomas Hein, 76, Reelsville, traveling at a high rate of speed as it crested the hill and then crashed into the trucks.

While their injuries were not life-threatening, Ducker reported that the three Duke Energy workers were transported to Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for checkout. Meanwhile, Hein was taken to Putnam County Hospital.

Duke Energy was working on replacing a power substation and utility poles at the time of the incident.

The Reelsville Volunteer Fire Department and Putnam County EMS responded along with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. Firefighters assisted with patient care and cleaned up debris.

Ducker said the incident is currently under investigation and that he would attempt to download telemetry from the car’s black box.

No information about potential charges were available as of presstime Thursday.

This story will be updated when more information is available.