| Wednesday at approximately 9:30 pm, the Indiana State Police responded to a two vehicle head on crash on State Road 256 near County Road 1000 West which claimed the lives of two North Vernon residents.
The initial investigation by the Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team indicated that a black 1997 Ford Mustang being driven by Joshua C. Hendrix, age 34, North Vernon, Indiana was traveling eastbound on State Road 256 near County Road 1000 West in Jefferson County.
Hendrix vehicle crossed the center double yellow line while attempting to pass another vehicle. His vehicle entered into the path of a westbound black 2010 Chevrolet Impala being driven by Trisha M. Ebertshauser, age 28, Scottsburg, Indiana. The vehicles collided head on in the westbound lanes of State Road 256.
Hendrix’ vehicle traveled off the south side of the roadway and came to rest before catching fire. Ebertshauser’s vehicle traveled off the north side of the roadway and came to rest. Joshua Hendrix and a front seat passenger in his vehicle, Amanda J. Hendrix, age 27, North Vernon, Indiana sustained fatal injuries in the collision. They were both pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.
Ebertshauser sustained life threatening injuries in the collision. She was flown from the scene to the University of Louisville Hospital for treatment. A backseat passenger in Ebertshauser’s vehicle, Michael A. Riggs, age 19, Bedford, Kentucky was flown to the University of Louisville Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The front seat passenger in Ebertshauser’s vehicle, Rebecca S. Roberts, age 23, Scottsburg, Indiana was transported to King’s Daughter Hospital in Madison, Indiana for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs played a roll in the crash. The investigation is ongoing.
All families have been notified.
Indiana State Police-Versailles Reconstruction Team members Trps. Andrew Garrett and Matt Holley were assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Hanover FD, Kent FD, Madison FD, King’s Daughter EMS, IU Lifeline Medical Helicopter, Air Methods Medical Helicopter, Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, and Stanley’s Wrecker Service. |
