One dead after accident on US 31 at County Road 800N

One person was killed in a collision on southbound U.S. 31 near the Indiana Premium Outlets on Thursday.

Two dark-colored pickup trucks were involved in the crash at 12:11 p.m. south of County Road 800N. While emergency crews were on scene, traffic in the northbound and southbound lanes was diverted via Executive Way and Presidential Lane to 800N.

US 31 was reopened to traffic shortly before 4 p.m. on Thursday.

Although Edinburgh Police Chief Doyne Little and city officer Clay Morgan were the first to arrive at the scene, Little stressed that the investigation was the responsibility of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office.

An IU Health Lifeline helicopter landed on the northbound lanes at the scene of the accident in front of Truck Service Inc. It landed at approximately 12:50 p.m. and departed at approximately 1:25 p.m. However, initial reports indicate the victim was pronounced dead at the scene and the helicopter was not transporting anyone. The Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office was called to the scene.

At around 3 p.m., Bartholomew County Sheriff’s spokesman Sergeant Dane Duke issued a brief statement stressing that the investigation was still ongoing.

“A person was standing on the side of the road assisting a broken down vehicle, but unfortunately was struck by another vehicle, resulting in a fatal accident,” Duke said.

A man who claims to have witnessed the crash says it appeared the first pickup truck was pulling a trailer with an engine that fell onto the highway. As the victim tried to move the engine, he was struck by the other truck, which was traveling south, the witness said.

In a press release issued Thursday evening by Duke, investigators said the preliminary investigation revealed that the victim stopped to assist another motorist with a broken-down vehicle and was struck by another vehicle, resulting in death.

The Bartholomew County Accident Reconstruction Team investigated the accident.

This story will be updated.