Driver from Hope critical after accident on County Road 450N

Columbus police officers and firefighters work the scene of an accident after a high speed chase ended in a crash on National Road in Columbus, Ind., Friday, April 9, 2021. Officers with the Columbus Police Department were pursing an impaired driver when the crashed into another motorist. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

COLUMBUS, Ind. — A seriously injured Hope man may have been trapped upside down inside the wreckage of a vehicle for up to four hours before his accident east of the Columbus Municipal Airport was discovered Tuesday.

In addition, evidence removed from the wreckage in Flat Rock Township are expected to lead to drug-related charges against the driver and sole occupant.

Tony Whittington, 21, of County Road 500N, was flown by Lifeline Helicopter from the scene of the accident to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

Suffering head trauma and several other possible injuries, Whittington was listed Tuesday afternoon in critical condition, hospital spokeswoman Danielle Sirilla said.

 

A Jeep Cherokee is shown overturned under the Haw Creek bridge Tuesday morning. Photo provided
A Jeep Cherokee is shown overturned under the Haw Creek bridge Tuesday morning.
Photo provided

For more details, see Wednesday’s Republic.