JUDAH – On Wednesday, January 11th, at approximately 2:59 p.m., the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office received, and responded to, a report of a serious crash at the intersection of State 37 and Old State 37 in Judah.
Upon arrival, officers discovered that two vehicles were involved in the crash. One of the vehicles was a fully loaded concrete clinker semi, which was overturned in the northbound lanes of State Road 37, just north of the intersection.
According to Sheriff Greg Day, preliminary investigations reveal that a 2013 tractor-trailer combination semi, operated by Randall Schuyler, 52, of Greenfield, and owned by Blue Star Transport in Lebanon, was traveling north on State Road 37.
A 2010 Nissan Altima, operated by Katrena Cunningham, 64, of Bedford, was traveling west on Old State Road 37, at the stoplight. The traffic light turned green for the westbound traffic on Old State Road 37 and Cunningham began to turn south (left) onto State Road 37. The semi, which had a red light, failed to stop and drove through the intersection.
The semi attempted to take evasive action but collided with Cunningham’s Nissan. The impact forced the Nissan off the right side of northbound State Road 37, while the semi overturned, partially in the median and partially in the northbound lanes of State Road 37.
Due to the incumbent weather including the rain and fog, an air ambulance could not respond to the scene. Both the drivers, Cunningham, and Schuyler, were transported by ambulance to IU Health Bloomington Hospital.
Cunningham did not survive her injuries.
There were no other occupants of either vehicle.
The Lawrence County Fatal Accident Crash Team responded to the scene to assist in the investigation and complete a crash reconstruction. In addition, the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division assisted both at the scene and with follow-up inspections of the semi. Toxicology results on the drivers are pending.
The crash is being investigated by Detective Michael Ramos and Officer Brenton Trueblood. They were assisted by Lawrence County officer Sgt. Michael Williams, Major Brandon Blackwell, Captain Andrew Phillips, Detective Andrea Barnett, and Sheriff Greg Day.
Assisting agencies included Marshall Township Fire Department, Bedford Fire Department, Bedford Police Department, Indiana State Police, and IU Health Ambulance Service. Stone City Collision responded to tow the Nissan, while Bland’s Towing is currently working to upright and remove the semi, As of 6:45 p.m., northbound State Road 37 is still blocked while crews work to remove the semi. The delay is expected to continue for quite some time.
