Drivers, passengers injured in four-vehicle crash this weekend 

GNAW BONE — Three were transported to Columbus Regional Hospital (CRH) this weekend after a crash on State Road 46 East.

On Sept. 16, the Brown County Sheriff’s Department, Brown County (Nashville) Volunteer Fire Department, IU Health Lifeline EMS and Columbus Regional Health EMS responded to the 4100 block of 46 East for an accident involving four vehicles.

During an investigation of the crash, it was found that a truck and stock trailer, driven by 69-year-old Gregory Duke of Bloomington, was traveling eastbound on 46 East when traffic slowed in front of the vehicle because drivers were turning north into Hills O’ Brown Vacation Rentals.

Duke was unable to stop in time for an unknown reason, according to the accident report, and struck the rear of another stopped vehicle. That vehicle went off the south side of the road. The driver was not injured.

After striking the first vehicle, the truck and trailer reportedly continued to “jack-knife,” and struck an oncoming vehicle in the westbound lane driven by 74-year-old Mary Walton of Aurora, Ill.

The impact between the two vehicles caused Walton’s vehicle to spin and lose the driver’s side wheel, which struck another vehicle head-on.

Duke initially declined being treated by EMS but later started complaining of leg swelling and chest pain. He was transported by EMS to CRH.

Duke’s backseat passenger, 30-year-old Levi Chapman, of Bloomington, was checked by EMS due to hitting his head on the passenger rear window. He told emergency personnel that he was asleep at the time of the crash.

Walton and her front seat passenger, 67-year-old Patricia Bryant of Keymar, Md., were transported to CRH. Walton had chest and neck pain, difficulty breathing and a concussion. Bryant had a laceration on her hand that required stitches.

All vehicles involved were towed from the scene and transported to Al’s Paint and Body. The wreck snarled traffic on State Road 46 for several hours.