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Last updated on Monday, October 19, 2015
(WEST BADEN SPRINGS) - A Huron men died after suffering head injuries in a crash on County Road 850 West near the intersection of County Road 425 North.
According to an Orange County Sheriff's Department report, 22-year Armas Yrttima III was a passenger in a vehicle driven by 24-year-old Cole Reynolds of Mitchell.
Reynolds told police that he was traveling north on County Road 850 West when he encountered another vehicle, a white pickup. Reynolds told police he had to swerve his 2001 Honda Civic off the east side of the road to avoid sideswiping the pickup. Once the Civic came back onto the roadway Reynolds lost control of the vehicle.
The car spun 180 degrees and began traveling in reverse, went back off the roadway on the west side of the road. The car then went up a small embankment becoming airborne. The car then struck a large tree on the west side of the road. After impact the car spun, struck the tree again and came to rest in the roadway.
The vehicle had severe damage to the rear and driver's side rear.
Yrttima was partially ejected from the back window of the car and was unconscious. He suffered significant head injuries and was flown by Air Evac to the University of Louisville Hospital. Police were notified that Yrttima died on Sunday.
Reynolds complained of chest pain and was flown by helicopter to the University of Louisville for treatment.
The front seat passenger, 22-year-old Michael Kirk of Loogootee, suffered a minor knee injury, but refused medical treatment at the scene.
A witness who heard the accident told police he saw the black Civic and a white car pass his home at a high-rate of speed just before the crash.
Another witness told police that he was traveling south on County Road 850 West when just before he crested the hill where the accident happened he noticed a dust cloud. He saw the Civic travel off the road and then back onto the road nearly hitting his vehicle then hit the tree. He told police the Civic was traveling at a high-rate of speed. He told police there was a white vehicle traveling behind the Civic.
According to the police report, at the point of where the vehicle initially began to leave the road, the road width was 19 feet. From the point where the vehicle initially began to leave the road to the nearest point on the vehicle at its resting point there was a total distance of 206 feet. After the vehicle traveled back across the road, the vehicle was off the road for 47 feet before impacting the tree. The distance from the tree to the left rear tire was 12 feet, 2 inches. The distance from the tree to the left front tire was 8 feet, 5 inches. The distance from the tree to the left rear tire was 16 feet and 5 inches. The distance from the tree to the right front tire was 12 feet, 2 inches. The distance from the tree to the right rear tire was 18 feet and 7 inches. At the point where the vehicle impacted the tree the road width was 17 feet 4 inches.
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