Driver Succumbs Following Crash that Ends in a Pond in Putnam County

Putnam County—This afternoon at 12:48, Indiana State Police and several other emergency agencies responded to the area of US 231 and County Road 1300 South for a report of a vehicle that ran off the roadway and into a pond. Moments before this crash, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a victim reporting they were ran off the road by another vehicle in the area of this event.

Indiana State Police Senior Trooper John Myers arrived on scene at 1:02 and was met by Cloverdale Police Chief Steve Hibler and Officer Rick Lambert. The trio braved the ice and made their way across the approximately 30 feet of frozen area to the vehicle. The same officers broke out the driver’s side rear window, unlocked the driver’s door, and pulled the unresponsive female from her vehicle. The officers and now fire-rescue personnel, initiated efforts to revive the victim. She was then transported to Putnam County Hospital for treatment and later pronounced deceased.

Indiana Conservation Officer divers Lieutenant Kent Hutchins and Sergeant Chris Springstun arrived moments later, donned their water rescue gear and entered the frigid water to check for other victims. No other victims were found. The ICOs remained at the scene to assist with vehicle recovery efforts from the water.

Preliminary investigation revealed the southbound 2013 Honda Pilot traveled off the east edge of US 231 for an unknown reason. The Honda continued a southeasterly course for approximately 600 feet before coming to rest in the pond.

Putnam County Coroner David Brown has released the victim’s name.  Lavada Anne Boyette, age 56, of rural Cloverdale, IN. Family has been notified.

At this time, troopers do not know why the Honda Pilot left the roadway. Investigation is ongoing with an autopsy scheduled tomorrow morning at Terre Haute Regional Hospital with Pathologist Dr. Roland Kohr.

The crash was investigated by ISP Senior Trooper John Myers. Assisting were ISP Troopers DuJuan Presley-McFadden and Ryan Winters, Putnam County Sheriff’s deputies, Cloverdale Police, Cloverdale Fire/Rescue, Putnam County EMS, and Putnam County Coroner’s Office.