Parke County—This morning at 09:29, Indiana State Police and Parke County emergency agencies responded to a tractor-trailer crash on State Road 59 just south of County Road 720 South.
Preliminary investigation revealed a Freightliner tractor pulling an empty box trailer, driven by 69-year-old Donald E. Stevenson of Reelsville, IN., was southbound on SR 59 and suddenly veered right off the roadway into an area of trees. The impact entrapped the driver for nearly one hour before Stevenson was extricated by members of the Adams Township Fire/Rescue and Bellmore Fire Departments.
Donald Stevenson was airlifted via IU Health Lifeline to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for treatment of significant leg injuries. Investigators believe a sudden onset health issue may have caused Stevenson to leave the roadway. ISP Detective Deanna Jones came upon the crash and provided medical assistance until arrival of EMS.
The crash was investigated by ISP Trooper Brian Thomas. Assisting were ISP Troopers Michael Organ, Gary Winters, ISP Crash Reconstructionists Ted Robertson and Tim Rader, ISP Detective Deanna Jones, ISP Sergeant Joe Watts, Parke County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Brad McNeill, Rosedale Police Officer Kevin Bratcher, Adams Township Fire/Rescue, Bellmore Fire Department, Parke County EMS, IU Health Lifeline, and Poor Boys Towing Service.
SR 59 has been closed since the crash and is expected to be closed approximately one hour longer for crash recovery efforts.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
