90-year-old killed in crash

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GREENFIELD – A 90-year-old man died, and three others were hospitalized Tuesday afternoon after a minivan and pickup collided along a rural Hancock County roadway.

The accident happened around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of county roads 250N and 600E.

Richard Pinkston, 90, of Greenfield, was westbound in a white minivan on County Road 250N when he crossed into the path of a pickup truck that was heading north on County Road 600E, police said.

The truck collided with the minivan, striking it near the driver’s seat and causing Pinkston’s fatal injuries.

Emergency responders initially asked that a medical helicopter come to the scene of the accident to transport Pinkston to a hospital, according to police scanner traffic; the request was later canceled.

Representatives from the Hancock County Coroner’s Office pronounced Pinkston dead at the scene.

Two children were riding in the minivan with Pinkston at the time of wreck, investigators said. Both were taken to Indianapolis hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the pickup was taken to Hancock Regional Hospital with minor injuries as well, investigators said.

Their names were not available at press time.

Members of the county’s Fatal Accident Crash Team reported to the scene to take measurements, photograph the cars involved and question area drivers who saw the wreck happen.

The crash remained under investigation at press time, as officers worked to determine why Pinkston pulled out in front of the oncoming car.

Witnesses told police Pinkston’s minivan was stopped at a stop sign on County Road 250N just prior to the accident and appeared to be waiting for oncoming traffic to pass safely.

Two other cars passed by Pinkston, heading north on County Road 600E, before he pulled out into the intersection and into the pickup’s path, investigators said.

The intersection of county roads 250N and 600E was closed about three hours while officers investigated.