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Witnesses Flip Vehicle, Extinguish Fire

Last updated on Wednesday, January 15, 2014

(LOOGOOTEE) - A crash Saturday afternoon in Martin County left three people injured.

The accident happened on U.S. 231, two miles south of Loogootee.

Police say that Stephen Simmons, of Jasper, failed to stop for a car driven by Milton Derstine, of Loogootee, who was making a left turn.

Derstine's vehicle was pushed into the path of an on-coming van driven by Debar Collignon, of Jasper.

Derstine's car then flipped over and trapped him inside.

Before police arrived, witnesses saw smoking coming from Derstine's vehicle. Afraid the car would catch fire with Derstine trapped inside, they manually flipped the vehicle back onto all four tires and put out the fire with a fire extinguisher.

Due to heavy damage to the vehicle, Derstine had to be freed from the wreckage by emergency personnel. He was then flown by helicopter to St. Mary's Hospital in Evansville where he is listed in fair condition in the ICU unit.

Collignon was treated at the Jasper hospital and released.

A passenger in Collignon's van, Bret Collignon, was also taken to St. Mary's where his condition is listed as good.

Simmons refused treatment at the scene.

US 231 was closed for approximately three and a half hours.

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