LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Tippecanoe County sheriff’s deputies investigated a fatal accident on U.S. 52 south of Lafayette in the area of County Road 575 East, according to the sheriff’s office and the coroner’s office.
James Weldon’s northbound pickup truck became disabled, and Weldon pulled to the right side of the road near County Road 575 East. About 11:40 a.m., a northbound Jeep driven by Kurtis Crabtree, 36, Lebanon, did not notice the disabled vehicle and struck it, according to the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office.
Weldon, 76, of Lafayette, was outside of his truck on the passenger side when the Jeep struck the truck. The collision knocked the truck towards Weldon and pinned him under the truck, according to the sheriff’s office.
Weldon died at the scene, according to the sheriff’s office.
About 10 minutes after the accident, a southbound flatbed pickup stopped because of crash debris in the southbound lanes. A southbound car struck the back of the stopped flatbed pickup, according to the sheriff’s office.
The driver of the car was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life threatening, according to the sheriff’s office.
The initial crash was reported about 11:40 a.m. Tuesday, and about 12:30 p.m., the sheriff’s office pushed an alert that the highway was closed in both directions between Veterans Memorial Parkway and Wyandotte Road. The highway was closed for about three hours.
Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.
Deputies investigate fatal wreck on U.S. 52 south of Lafayette – Journal & Courier
