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Sullivan County—Friday afternoon at approximately 1:45, Indiana State Police and Sullivan County emergency agencies responded to a one-vehicle crash near 11422 North US 41, Farmersburg, IN.
Preliminary investigation revealed a gray 2005 Ford Ranger pickup, driven by 30-year-old Kenneth Trey Bolinger of Terre Haute, IN., was northbound on US 41 and suddenly left the roadway on the east side. The pickup continued on ultimately colliding into the business of J and L Services.
During the collision, a 4×4 wooden post nearly ten feet long, impacted the truck’s grill and continued through the engine compartment and firewall, before entering the cab area and barely impacting the driver’s lower leg as it traveled through the cab next to the driver.
Kenneth T. Bolinger was transported to Terre Haute Regional Hospital for treatment of a leg injury and head and neck pain. His injuries are believed non-life threatening. A medical issue may have contributed to the crash.
“The post came within mere inches of impaling the driver. Mr. Bolinger is most certainly lucky to be alive”, commented investigating officer Senior Trooper Brent Robinson.
Assisting were ISP Master Trooper Polly Blackburn, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, Sullivan County EMS, and Thunderbird Fire/Rescue.
I was the person that was in the crash, Mr. Bolinger. I was Northbound on 41 with my friend Jeff Freeman behind me, we were going to get some old property out of my former house, which now my ex fiance demanded I remove. We wanted to move a few things to Mr. Freeman’s home as Super Bowl Sunday was almost underway.
I remember looking up at the WTHI transmitting tower in Farmersburg, and I blinked… I don’t remember anything after that. Next memory I have is being in the back of Sullivan Co. Ambulance. He told me what happened. I was in shock. But very lucky.
I fully credit the actions of Mr. Jeff Freeman for being first on scene. He said I was foaming at the mouth, and stayed with me til EMS arrived. He was a hero. As was my father. The FD and SCAT Ambulance guys, they were careful in extracting me.
I appreciate the professionalism.
Trey Bolinger