A local woman was treated and released from the hospital after being struck by a vehicle on State Road 7 near U.S. 31.
Three vehicles were involved in the accident at 7:15 p.m. Monday, said Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, Indiana State Police spokesman.
An investigation by Trooper Korry Clark from the Versailles Post indicates that a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt driven by Austin Rice, 22, Columbus, was traveling north on State Road 7 just south of State Road 7 when the vehicle had a mechanical issue and came to a stop off the edge of the roadway.
A Ford F-150 driven by Michael Williams, 31, North Vernon, arrived to assist Rice, along with Ashley Sowerby, 19, Columbus, who arrived in a different vehicle, Wheeles said.
A 1999 Nissan Sentry driven by Randy Robinson, 27, Columbus, was traveling north on State Road 7, approaching the other vehicles. Robinson was unable to slow down to avoid the slowed traffic, Wheeles said.
Robinson’s vehicle struck Sowerby, who was standing next to the roadway, Wheeles said. Robinson’s vehicle then sideswiped a 1998 Ford Escort being driven by Stefan Dehaven, 22, Elizabethtown, before striking the rear of Williams’ vehicle, Wheeles said.
Sowerby was transported by ambulance to Columbus Regional Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries and has since been treated and released. A passenger in Dehaven’s vehicle was also treated for minor injuries at Columbus Regional.
Robinson was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital where he submitted to a blood test for intoxication. The results are pending at this time. Robinson also suffered minor injuries in the crash, Wheeles said.
An investigation into the accident is continuing.
State Road 7 was closed for approximately two hours for crash investigation and cleanup, Wheeles said.
