LAWRENCE CO.– A fatal crash on Sunday, March 9, at the intersection of State Road 37 and Dixie Highway in Lawrence County, resulted in one death and two injuries.
The crash occurred at approximately 4:46 p.m.
The incident involved three vehicles. Joshua T. Clevenger, 25, of Mitchell, was driving a silver 2006 Chevrolet Equinox southbound on State Road 37. Richard A. Voyles, 48, of Salem, was driving a silver 2010 Dodge Ram pickup truck northbound on SR 37. Kanisha M. Sons, 28, of Bedford, was driving a white 2004 Ford Taurus northbound on SR 37 behind Voyles.
According to the report, Clevenger, who was in the median attempting to turn onto Dixie Highway, began to pull across the northbound lanes of SR 37 and entered the roadway in front of Voyles’ vehicle. Voyles’ vehicle then struck Clevenger’s vehicle on the passenger side. Following the initial impact, Clevenger’s vehicle also struck Sons’ vehicle. The collisions caused all three vehicles to travel toward the guardrail.
Jacqueline Bartlett, 24, of Bedford, a passenger in Clevenger’s vehicle, was trapped and had to be extricated by the Bedford Fire Department. She was transported to IU Health in Bedford but later died from her injuries.
The three drivers sustained minor injuries. All three drivers agreed to blood draws, and the results are pending toxicology reports.
Indiana State Police Master Trooper John Yung responded to the scene to conduct a reconstruction.
Joshua Clevenger’s failure to yield the right of way was determined to be the primary cause of the crash.
