Published: May 16, 2008 10:43 pm            

Three injured in accident

Three people were injured, one critically, Friday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of 400 North and 600 West.

Sheriff deputies said a 2002 silver Jaguar driven by Sharon G. Villani, 65, was traveling north on 600 West about 2:20 p.m., when she disregarded a stop sign and crashed into a westbound Dodge Durango.

Villani was unconscious and unresponsive when deputies arrived. She was airlifted from the scene to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, where she is being treated for a broken back, broken neck, rib fractures, a severe scalp laceration, lacerated liver and a punctured lung, Howard County Sheriff Marty Talbert reported.

After impact, the Durango knocked out a utility pole and came to rest on its side in a muddy field on the northwest corner of the intersection. The Jaguar came to rest in the grass near 400 South.

The driver of the Durango, Thomas A. Ludwig, 52, suffered a knee injury, and his wife, Judith A. Ludwig, 53, suffered abrasions and complaints of pain. Both were transported to St. Joseph Hospital for treatment.

Talbert said Thomas Ludwig was able to dial 911 on his cell phone while still trapped inside his wrecked vehicle.

The Ludwigs were both wearing seat belts, which prevented the couple from being ejected and seriously injured, Talbert said. He said Villani was not wearing a seat belt.

Chemical tests were performed on both drivers as a matter of routine, but investigators do not suspect that alcohol was a factor in the crash.

Without witnesses, sheriff deputies called in Master Trooper Robert Good, an Indiana State Police accident reconstructionist, to assist in the investigation.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Deputy Dennis Vondersaar at the Howard County Sheriff Department at (765) 457-1105. Deputies were assisted at the scene by officers of the Galveston Police Department, Howard County Emergency Management Agency, Indiana State Police, and members of the Galveston Volunteer Fire Department.

Mike Fletcher may be reached at (765) 454-8565 or via e-mail at mike.fletcher@kokomotribune.com

        

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