Staff Reports
A Columbus couple died in a head-on traffic crash Monday afternoon on 25th Street near Petersville. Bartholomew County Coroner Clayton Nolting said the Hope couple was traveling eastbound on 25th Street when they collided with a westbound vehicle. The crash was reported at 12:15 p.m.
Richard E. Ott, 65, was pronounced dead on the scene by Deputy Coroner Charlie Deweese. His wife, Wanda J. Ott, 72, was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries at approximately 2:30 p.m. Deweese said both died due to blunt force trauma to the chest.
The crash is being investigated by Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.
The other involved driver was injured and transported to Columbus Regional Hospital as well and his condition is unknown at this time.
East 25th Street was shut down in both directions for about four hours while accident reconstruction was done by the Indiana State Police and Columbus Police Department.
The accident remains under investigation, deputies said.
