Crash reconstructionists are investigating the death of a Columbus woman who lost control of her vehicle in icy conditions on U.S. 31 in Columbus.
Columbus police were sent to the 700 block of U.S. 31 and County Road 50N on the east side of Columbus at 9:23 p.m. Sunday after a car driven by Ashley D. Corbin, 28, Columbus, collided with a U-Haul truck, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
Corbin, who was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Impala, was driving south on U.S. 31 when it appeared she lost control of her vehicle and slid into the northbound lanes of U.S. 31, with the passenger side of her vehicle colliding with the U-Haul, Harris said.
The U-Haul was driven by Phillip B. Amburgey, 27, Columbus, who was treated at the scene for minor injuries, Harris said.
The accident occurred a short distance south of Clifty Creek Elementary School during a four-hour period Sunday night when about a dozen accidents — some involving personal injury, others property damage — were reported in Bartholomew County.
Corbin was pronounced dead that night at Columbus Regional Hospital by the Bartholomew County Coroner’s office. She died from massive blunt trauma to the upper cervical spine and chest, Coroner Clayton Nolting said.
Columbus Township firefighters assisted Columbus police at the scene.
Ashley Corbin’s father, Richard Corbin, said family members believed she was driving to a new job as a cashier at Ricker’s on State Road 58 when the accident happened.
Prior to accepting that job, she had worked as deli manager on the east side of Columbus, her father said.
“She had just started a job she was really excited about,” said Angela Wright, the mother of Ashley Corbin.
In her free time, Corbin — who graduated from high school in Utah — enjoyed the music of Nirvana and attending concerts in Indianapolis, Angela Wright said.
Her mother said the young woman loved her family members, especially her sisters and her nephews, and cared about everybody.
“She will leave behind many friends and family members who will miss her,” her mother said.
