A man and his four daughters from Coatesville in Hendricks County were injured Friday as they headed to Florida on Interstate 65 for a spring break trip.
Brian Dayharsh, 51, was traveling southbound on I-65 in Bartholomew County with his daughters, ranging in age from 6 to 14, when their 2015 Kia sport-utility vehicle was struck from behind by a 2011 Hyundai Sonata driven by Bryan Davis, 39, of Columbus, according to an Indiana State Police press release.
The force of the 7:10 p.m. collision forced both vehicles off the roadway at the 58.5-mile marker, three miles north of the Jonesville exit, causing Dayharsh’s vehicle to roll and come to rest upright off the roadway, State Trooper Korry Clark reported.
Dayharsh and his daughters Natalie, 14, Daniella, 9, and Evelyn, 6, were transported to Columbus Regional Hospital with complaints of pain, the press release said. A final passenger, Cassie, 12, was initially trapped in the vehicle before being transported by medical helicopter to Riley Hospital in Indianapolis for additional evaluation. All injuries sustained are believed to be non-life-threatening, State Police said.
Davis was not injured but showed signs of intoxication after the collision, the release said. He was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital where he submitted to a blood draw.
Davis also was evaluated by a drug-recognition expert with the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department before he was arrested by Trooper Clark on charges of operating while intoxicated. The arrest charges are pending with the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Department and Indiana State Police had received multiple reports of Davis’ vehicle driving erratically prior to the crash.
The right lane of southbound I-65 was closed in the area of the crash for about 90 minutes during the accident investigation.
Both lanes were closed for a short time for the medical helicopter to land.
Clark was assisted by other troopers with the Indiana State Police, the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, Wayne Township Fire Department, Columbus Regional EMS, Jackson County EMS, LifeLine Helicopter and 31 Wrecker Service.
