Troopers investigate fatal crash in Fountain County

FOUNTAIN CO. – This morning just after 9:30 a.m., the Indiana State Police and Fountain County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single-vehicle fatal crash on US 41 near County Road 700 South.

A preliminary investigation by Trooper Feazel revealed that a 2020 Freightliner Box Truck was traveling south on US 41 approaching County Road 700 South. For an unknown reason, the Freightliner ran off the west side of US 41, overcorrected and traveled back across US 41. The Freightliner then ran off the east side of the road, struck a utility pole, and rolled over.

The driver of the Freightliner was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash by the Fountain County Coroner. The coroner has identified the driver as 22-year-old Mathew Ratzlaff, from Beech Grove, IN.

The passenger of the Freightliner was transported by EMS to a hospital in Danville, IL, with non-life-threatening injuries.

Trooper Feazel was assisted on the scene by other troopers from the Lafayette Post, Fountain County Sheriff’s Office, Fountain County Coroner, Fountain County EMS, Kingman Fire Department, REMC, and Carnaghi’s Towing.