North Vernon driver dies in one-vehicle crash

Indiana State Police said a Brownsburg truck driver is in critical condition after his semi tanker overturned and exploded on an I-465 exit ramp near I-70 on the east side of Indianapolis Thursday afternoon. Photo provided by Indiana State Police

NORTH VERNON — A North Vernon man died in a single-vehicle accident at 5:30 p.m. Saturday on State Road 7 near Private Road 625W.

The initial investigation by Trooper Jacob Tolle, Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team, indicated that a white 1988 Ford truck, being driven by Matthew L. Lonsberry, 51, North Vernon, was traveling south on State Road 7 near Private Road 625 West. Lonsberry’s vehicle left the west side of the road before overturning and striking a utility pole, Indiana State Police said. The vehicle came to rest on its top.

Lonsberry and a passenger, Mary Lonsberry, 52, North Vernon, were trapped inside the vehicle, state police said.

Emergency personnel extricated both occupants from the vehicle. Matthew Lonsberry died as a result of injuries he sustained in the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jennings County Coroner’s Office.  Mary Lonsberry was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

State Road 7 was closed approximately one hour for crash investigation and cleanup.

The investigation is ongoing and toxicology results are pending on Matthew Lonsberry.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, Jennings County EMS, Scipio-Geneva Fire Department, Jennings County Coroner’s Office, and Clark’s Wrecker Service.