COLUMBUS, Ind. — A Columbus man and a Scipio resident were among three people involved in a two-vehicle crash in rural Bartholomew County.
At about 6:30 p.m. Friday, the Indiana State Police and Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department responded to an accident at the intersection of U.S. 31 and County Road 750S in Bartholomew County.
The initial investigation by Indiana State Trooper Matt Holley indicated that a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze driven by Samuel J. Morris, 21, Dupont, was traveling westbound on County Road 750S and failed to yield to a 2010 Ford F-150 driven by Larry W. Abbott, 52, Columbus, that was traveling northbound on US 31. Abbott’s vehicle struck the driver’s side of Morris’ vehicle. After the collision, both vehicles left the roadway before coming to a stop, according to a state police news release.
Abbott was transported to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour for treatment of minor injuries, the state police said.
A front seat passenger in Morris’ vehicle, Taylor B. Finley, 22, Scipio, was flown to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis for treatment of serious injuries. However, Finley’s injuries are not believed to be life threatening at this time, the state police said.
Morris had to be extricated from the vehicle before being flown to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for treatment for his injuries. Morris has been released from the hospital, the state police said.
The cause of the accident is still ongoing. Blood draws were performed on both drivers for drugs and alcohol, although drugs and alcohol are not believed to be factors at this time, the state police said.
Holley was assisted by Troopers Tia Deaton, Jacob Tolle, and Korry Clark. The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, Elizabethtown Fire Department, Columbus EMS and Stat Flight also assisted at the scene.