WASHINGTON– A passenger critically injured in a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of US 50 and Troy Road on Saturday, May 31, has died from his injuries, according to the Marion County Coroner and the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office.
Sixty-five-year-old Thomas Wirts of Washington, Indiana, succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday, June 4.
The driver of the vehicle, 60-year-old David Love, of Francisco, was initially arrested and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, causing serious bodily injury. Authorities stated that Love’s blood alcohol content was reportedly 0.19, more than twice the legal limit.
The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office reported that the collision occurred at approximately 4:38 p.m. on May 31, when Daviess County Central Dispatch received a report of a crash with one individual ejected from a vehicle. The preliminary investigation indicates that a 1974 Jeep Renegade, driven by David Love, was traveling north on Troy Road and failed to yield the right-of-way to westbound traffic on US 50, pulling into the path of a 2017 Jeep Cherokee driven by Ronelle Linneweber, 39, of Vincennes.
As a result of the collision, Thomas Wirts, the passenger in Love’s Jeep Renegade, was ejected from the vehicle. Wirts was initially transported to Daviess Community Hospital and subsequently transferred to an Evansville hospital, where he was listed in critical condition until his passing.
David Love was also transported to Daviess Community Hospital and treated for minor injuries before being released and taken to the Daviess County Security Center. Ronelle Linneweber, the driver of the Jeep Cherokee, was treated for minor injuries at Daviess Community Hospital.
The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office is the lead investigating agency, with assistance from the Indiana State Police in reconstructing the accident. Other assisting agencies at the scene included the Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department, the Daviess County Ambulance Service, Briggeman’s Wrecker Service, and Tri County Wrecker Service.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent until proven guilty through due legal proceedings.
