MARKLE – The Indiana State Police investigated a fatal vehicle crash that claimed the life of a Hartford City woman this evening on State Road 3, approximately 3 miles south of Markle.
At approximately 6:15 p.m. troopers responded to the report of a two-vehicle crash on SR3 between CR200S and CR300S. Upon arrival, troopers found two passenger vehicles in the roadway, each sustaining heavy front-end damage, one of which was overturned with occupants entrapped and injured.
Markel Fire/Rescue and Parkview EMS personnel were able to extract both injured drivers from the wreckage, however, an adult female passenger sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Huntington County Coroner. Both drivers were transported to a Fort Wayne area hospital with what were believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.
ISP’s preliminary investigation has revealed that a black 2010 Mazda passenger car driven by Timothy J. Poole II, 22, of Muncie, was traveling southbound on SR 3. The second passenger vehicle, a gray 2012 GMC Terrain, driven by Jeffery A. Slusser, 56, of Hartford City, was traveling northbound. For an unknown reason, Poole’s vehicle crossed left of center into the northbound lane, colliding nearly head-on with Slusser’s vehicle. Both vehicles sustained heavy frontal damage, with Slusser’s vehicle rolling over after impact and landing on its roof in the southbound lane.
The deceased adult female passenger was an occupant in Slusser’s vehicle. Her identity is being withheld at this time pending family notifications. The Huntington County Coroner will release her identity tomorrow after those notifications have been completed.
Alcohol was not believed to be a factor, and seatbelts appear to have been in use.
This remains an active crash investigation by the Indiana State Police and the Huntington County Sheriff’s Department. There is no further information to release at this time. Once complete, the investigation will be turned over to the Huntington County Prosecutor for review and determination if any criminal charges are warranted.
Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Huntington County Sheriff’s Department, Markle Fire/Rescue, Parkview EMS, Markle PD, the Huntington County Coroner, and A-Plus Wrecker Service.
