JENNINGS COUNTY- Thursday morning, a two-vehicle head-on crash just east of North Vernon claimed the life of a 54-year-old Jennings County man.
The initial investigation indicated that shortly after 7:30 a.m. Thursday, a blue 1998 Toyota passenger car driven by William L. Rabe Jr., age 54, North Vernon, Indiana, was traveling westbound on US 50 near Private Road 125 East. For an unknown reason, Rabe’s vehicle crossed the centerline into the path of an eastbound tan 2004 Buick passenger car driven by Daniel L. Plumm, age 36, North Vernon, Indiana.
The vehicles collided in the eastbound lane of US 50. Rabe’s vehicle came to rest on the roadway. Plumm’s vehicle left the south side of the roadway before coming to a stop. Plumm was transported to St. Vincent/Jennings Hospital in North Vernon, Indiana, for treatment of serious injuries before being transferred to St. Vincent-86th Street in Indianapolis, Indiana, for further treatment. Unfortunately, Rabe sustained fatal injuries in the crash. He was pronounced deceased on the scene by the Jennings County Coroner’s Office.
The investigation by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office and Indiana State Police is ongoing. Toxicology results are pending, but alcohol and drugs are not believed to be a factor at this time.
William Rabe’s family has been notified.
Investigators were also assisted by the North Vernon Police Department, North Vernon Fire Department, Jennings County EMS, Jennings County Coroner’s Office, Lee’s Wrecker Service, and Lucas Wrecker Service.
