NEW ALBANY, Ind. — Indiana State Police Sellersburg troopers are investigating a fatal accident after a driver fled from New Albany police attempting to pull the car over.
Investigators said at 2 p.m. Tuesday, a New Albany police officer attempted to stop a gray Dodge Challenger near State Street and Clay Street in New Alanby for reckless driving.
The Challenger driver fled down State Street at a high rate of speed and the officer chose not to pursue, state police said.
Approximately one minute later, the Challenger collided with a white Toyota Highlander that had entered State Street from the Target parking lot. After striking the Highlander, the Challenger continued off the roadway and into a nearby parking lot, colliding with a parked bus. After the Challenger came to rest, the car caught fire, state police said.
The officer who initially attempted to stop the car arrived and pulled one occupant from the vehicle. Responders were unable to remove a second occupant from the Challenger. That person was later pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Toyota Highlander was transported to University Hospital in Louisville and has been identified as Gwendolyn Hartman, 60, of Georgetown.
The injured occupant of the Challenger was also transported to University Hospital.
Both injured subjects are listed with non-life-threatening injuries.
The names of the Challenger occupants are not being released at this time pending positive identification.
The New Albany Police Department requested an Indiana State Police crash reconstruction team investigate the crash.
