A quiet stretch of country road in southern Shelby County turned tragic this morning when a van and a delivery truck collided head-on, killing one person and sending two others to the hospital. Deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department were called to County Road 600 South just west of State Road 9 around 7:45 a.m. and found both vehicles with heavy front-end damage. One person in the van was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other van occupant was taken to an Indianapolis hospital. The truck driver was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Investigators determined the crash was a head-on collision between a van carrying two people and a delivery truck with one occupant, according to WIBC. Deputies have not yet released the name of the person killed; the Shelby County coroner will identify the victim after family members are notified. Officials have not announced a cause of the crash, and the investigation is still underway.
Where it happened
The wreck happened along County Road 600 South near State Road 9, a rural two-lane area southeast of Shelbyville where higher speeds and limited room for error can turn mistakes into serious crashes. WISH-TV has previously reported on fatal collisions along State Road 9, underscoring that this corridor has seen deadly crashes in recent years. Authorities have not said whether speed, road conditions, or any other specific factors played a role in Thursday's collision.
Investigation underway
The Shelby County Sheriff's Department said deputies and crash investigators were on scene Thursday morning working to figure out how the collision unfolded. Per WIBC, investigators will review witness statements, examine vehicle damage, and study any available roadway evidence as part of their probe. Authorities are asking anyone who saw the crash or has information about it to contact the sheriff's office.
Shelby County response
The Shelby County Sheriff's Department uses an Accident Investigation and Fatal Accident Crash Team to handle serious wrecks, according to the county's official Sheriff's Department page. Working out of the county Criminal Justice Center in Shelbyville, the department provides specialized crash reconstruction resources and assists with family notifications. Officials reiterated that the coroner will release the deceased person's identity once relatives have been notified.
Investigators are urging witnesses or anyone with information to contact the Shelby County Sheriff's Department. No additional details were released as of this afternoon. This story will be updated as the sheriff's office or coroner provides further information.
