Semi crashes into lake near Holton

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTOS Pictured above a semi tractor trailer rig landed in a lake, formerly known as Lake Williams, about two miles west of Holton, Tuesday night after the driver drove off of US 50 at approximately 8:21 p.m. Patrick Allen, 41, was the driver of the rig with Tomya Allen, 37, a passenger. Both were extricated and airlifted to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis by Lifeline for treatment of internal injuries. US 50 was closed until approximately 4 a.m. on Wednesday with only intermittent openings for traffic to go through. The roadway was the only place the multiple rescue crews had to work from to free the occupants of the semi and then to take the rig from the waters. Owners of the lake noted the semi had landed on a ledge that was not very deep, however, had it gone just a few feet over, there is drop off of more than 50 feet. Rescue workers had to use ropes and a stoke basket to bring the patients to the road, where they could be taken to waiting helicopters. Witnesses behind the semi said he swerved a little in his own lane to the right and then to the left, and then made a sharp turn to the left where the semi went over a guard rail and over the steep embankment into the water below. Ray Gunter of Holton, and Cody French of Norman, both were behind the semi eastbound on US 50 and immediately exited their vehicles to help the trapped people in the semi. Pictured below is Davis Towing & Recovery, Inc. service from Rushville, bringing the semi out of the lake.. The accident is being investigated by the Ripley County Sheriff's Office, who were assisted at the scene by Rescue 69, Ripley County Medic, Versailles Fire, Jennings County Medic, Milan Rescue 30, Holton Police and Fire Department, Osgood Police Department, Versailles Police Department, Indiana State Police and Ripley County Emergency Management.

Lois Kimball, 64 of Sunman, lost her life after she lost control on an icy roadway last week.

Dearborn County authorities say Kimball was on State Road 46 West of State Road 1, when she hit an icy patch in the roadway and lost control of the GMC Envoy she was driving. The SUV went off the roadway and overturned on its top.

Kimball was taken to Margaret Mary Community Hospital, Batesville, where she died.

Authorities say the roads became very slick as a small storm moved through the area.

Local police caution motorists to slow down in inclement weather condition, and better yet, if you don't have to go out, stay home.