The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal single vehicle crash that occurred Sunday afternoon in northern Vanderburgh County.
At 2:28 p.m. Sunday, the Sheriff’s Office, McCutchanville Fire Department, Vanderburgh County Fire Department, and AMR responded to the 1900 block of Orchard Road, according to a news release.
Upon arrival, deputies located one passenger, a 14-year-old, who had suffered critical injuries after being ejected from the vehicle. The teenage driver and three additional passengers sustained minor injuries. All five occupants were transported to local hospitals, where the 14-year-old was later pronounced deceased.
Sheriff’s Office accident reconstructionists and detectives were notified and responded to assist with the investigation. A deputy trained as a Drug Recognition Expert evaluated the driver. While drugs or alcohol are not believed to be contributing factors, a blood sample was obtained and will be submitted to the state laboratory, as is standard procedure in any serious bodily injury or fatal crash investigation.
Preliminary findings indicate the vehicle was traveling eastbound on Orchard Road when it crested a hill, became airborne for approximately 50 feet, struck a tree, and eventually came to rest in the roadway. During the crash sequence, the 14-year-old passenger was ejected from the rear passenger side window. Speed is believed to have been a significant factor.
The vehicle has been secured in the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office Forensics Garage. A search warrant will be obtained to download data from the vehicle’s Event Data Recorder. The crash remains under active investigation.
The Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office will release the identity of the deceased at a later time.