BEDFORD – An Oolitic teen was killed and two other teens were seriously injured after the vehicle they were in collided with a tree.
On Saturday, November 4th, at 3:36 a.m. Lawrence County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a one-vehicle crash in the 3600 block of Bartlettsville Road. The crash occurred on Barlettsville Road, approximately 3,100 feet north of Hearth Road.
According to Sheriff Greg Day, a 2004 SAAB passenger car was being driven by a 15-year-old male northbound on Bartlettsville Road. The vehicle was occupied by two other juvenile passengers, one in the front passenger seat and the other in the rear passenger side seat.
The vehicle entered a curve, at what appeared to be an unsafe speed, and the driver lost control. The vehicle traveled off the right (east) side of the roadway and struck a tree head-on.
The rear passenger was able to exit the vehicle and walk to a nearby residence for help.
Unfortunately, the front seat passenger Reginald Ray, 15, of Oolitic, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver was airlifted to Riley Hospital for treatment of severe head and internal injuries. The rear 17-year-old male backseat passenger was transported to IU Health in Bedford for treatment of his injuries.
According to Sheriff Day, the driver has a valid Indiana learner’s permit but is believed to have been violating the conditions of the permit. Unsafe speed and alcoholic beverage consumption are preliminarily believed to also be factors in the crash.
A search warrant was obtained for a blood draw on the driver. Those toxicology results are pending. The investigation is continuing.
An Indiana State Crash Reconstructionist responded to the scene and is assisting. The crash is being investigated by Officer Andrew Tillett. Officers Brenten Trueblood, Shaun Cabral, and Oolitic Marshal James Harrington also assisted. Agencies responding and/or assisting in the investigation include Pleasant Run Volunteer Fire Department, Bedford Fire Department, IU Health Lifeline Ambulances and Helicopter, Lawrence County Coroner’s Office, and Mikel’s Towing Service.
