County Road 800 North and County Road 1300 East at the Jackson/Jennings County Line
Tuesday morning, August 28th, shortly after 8:00 am, a two vehicle crash at the intersection of County Road 800 North and County Road 1300 East at the Jackson/Jennings County Line resulted in the death of a North Vernon, Indiana woman.
The initial investigation by Trp. Matt Holley, Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team indicated that a 2006 Ford Explorer being driven by Sharlene R. Whitsell, age 59, Seymour, Indiana was traveling eastbound on County Road 800 North at the intersection of County Road 1300 East. Whitsell’s vehicle entered the intersection into the path of a northbound 2003 Pontiac Montana being driven by Betty Lou Hicks, age 42, North Vernon, Indiana. The initial investigation indicated that Whitsell may have disregarded a stop sign prior to colliding with Hicks’ vehicle.
The vehicles collided in the middle of the intersection before leaving the roadway. Hicks’ vehicle then struck a tree before coming to a stop. Hicks sustained fatal injuries in the crash. She was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jennings County Coroner’s Office. Whitsell sustained minor injuries in the crash. She was transported to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, Indiana where she was treated for her injuries.
Evidence at the scene indicated that Hicks was not wearing a seatbelt when the crash occurred. It is unknown at this time if Whitsell was properly restrained when the crash occurred.