NEW PALESTINE — One person died in a two-car crash early Sunday morning on U.S. 52 just east of town, according to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff’s deputies were called about 6 a.m. to the 3500 block of West U.S. 52 for a head-on crash. The collision involved a 2001 Kia Optima and a Chevrolet sedan.
The passenger in the Chevrolet, Katherine Weaver, 30, of New Palestine, was killed at the scene, the sheriff’s department said in a news release.
Evidence at the scene and discussions with both drivers indicate the Kia was eastbound on U.S. 52 and turned into the path of the westbound Chevrolet, according to the news release.
The driver of Chevrolet, James Ridenour, 40, New Palestine, tried to stop and avoid the crash but was unsuccessful, investigators said. The driver and only occupant of the Kia was identified as Andrew Akers, 26, of Greenfield. Akers was transported by ambulance to IU Methodist Hospital with several broken bones and trauma to his leg.
Weaver was riding in the front seat of the Chevrolet.
Ridenour was transported by helicopter to IU Methodist Hospital with a broken leg and other non-life-threatening injuries.
Weaver has four children ranging in age from 5 to 13, the sheriff’s department said in the news release. Ridenour is the father of two of the children. All four children are staying with family members.
Officials do not know yet if drugs or alcohol are a factor in the crash; the investigation by the county’s Fatal Accident Crash Team is continuing.
The site of the crash is between County Roads 400W and 300W east of New Palestine. U.S. 52 was closed for a about three hours Sunday morning.
