NEW PALESTINE – Five people were sent to the hospital after a crash Thursday afternoon on U.S. 52 in New Palestine.
The road was shut down after a semitrailer truck and a passenger truck collided around 1:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon near the 5500 block of West U.S. 52.
Five people were taken to the Methodist Hospital with serious head, face and internal injuries. It included four adults and one child, said Bob Ehle, the New Palestine police chief.
While the accident is still under investigation, Ehle said officials believe speed was a factor.
The eastbound passenger truck had a trailer and was transporting another vehicle when the driver hit his brakes, which locked up.
“He wasn’t able to control his truck,” Ehle said. “When his brakes finally released, it caused his vehicle to shoot left of the center line and into the semi that was going westbound.”
The driver of the semi more than likely saved lives, Ehle said, since he was able to swerve right into the ditch and avoided striking the other vehicle head-on.
The driver of the semi has been identified as Christopher Carr, 53, Carmel.
The driver of the other vehicle was identified as Kyle Pryce, 32, Greenwood. His passengers included Caitlin Marr, 20, Indianapolis; Erika Crawford, 22, Greenwood; and a two-year-old child.
All the victims were transported for treatment.
