Rush County – This morning about 10:45 a.m. troopers from the Pendleton Post responded to State Road 244
west of County Road 160 East to a report of an overturned semi-tractor and trailer.  Trooper Eric Downey arrived to find a 2004 Freightliner off the north side of the road on its top.

For unknown reasons the semi, driven by David Thompson, age 48 of Laurel, IN., drove off the right side of the road into a ditch where it struck two utility poles before rolling over onto its top.  Thompson was uninjured, but his passenger, Penelope Rogers, age 47 of Laurel, was pinned in the wreckage for over an hour.  She was flown to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis with what is believed to be non life threatening injuries.

The semi, which belonged to Fraley and Schilling Trucking based in Rush County, was pulling a flat bed trailer loaded with a coil of steel.  The truck was a total loss. Seatbelts were in use and it is believed they prevented more serious injuries to the truck’s occupants. Troopers were assisted by the Rush County Sheriff’s Department. The investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Running off the right side of the road continues to be the leading cause of crashes on Indiana roadways. The Indiana State Police remain committed to reducing crashes, educating the public on the main causes of crashes and patrolling in high crash areas.