Four People and One Dog Sent to Hospital after Construction Zone Crash

PERU, IN -  morning, at approximately 10:10 a.m., officers from the Indiana State Police and the Miami County Sheriff’s Office responded to a three vehicle crash on U.S. 31 at State Road 218, which injured four people.  Preliminary investigation by Master Trooper Randy Pryor revealed that a 2004 Freightliner tractor trailer driven by Junior Graham, 39, Sturgis, MI, was stopped on northbound U.S. 31 for a red light at the intersection of State Road 218.

A 2007 Honda passenger car driven by Kimberly Harris, 38, Newton, KS, was traveling northbound on U.S. 31, slowing for the red light at State Road 218. A 1999 Freightliner tractor trailer driven by Mark Ludwig, 40, Avon, IN, was traveling northbound on U.S. 31. Ludwig failed to stop for the red light at State Road 218 and crashed into the rear bumper of the Honda. The impact caused the Honda to crash into the rear of the trailer connected to the semi driven by Graham.   

Kimberly Harris and her two children, Kelsi, 7, and Kailey 10, were transported by ambulance to Dukes Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A fourth person in the Honda, Christopher Gaby, 35, White Pigeon, KS, was also transported by ambulance to Dukes Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The Harris’s dog was transported to Dukes Memorial Hospital where E.M.T.’s kept a watchful eye on the canine in the ambulance bay. The dog was not injured. 

Graham and Ludwig were not injured in the crash. 

“Any time there is impact caused by a moving semi, the energy created is very powerful,” stated Master Trooper Pryor. “The deploying of airbags and the fact everyone was secured with a seat belt or child safety seat reduced the severity of the injuries in this crash.”   

This crash occurred in a well marked construction zone. Motorists are reminded to follow all traffic laws and be especially cognizant of traffic around them. Reduce your speed and drive defensively. 

Master Trooper Pryor was assisted by Motor Carrier Inspector Supervisor Tim Buffum, Master Motor Carrier Inspector Deb Beasey, Master Trooper Earl McCullough, Master Trooper Detective Mike Tarrh, the Pipe Creek Fire Department, the Grissom Air Reserve Base Fire Department, and Miami County EMS.