Ball State student dies in flooding mishap

Free Press Report

FAIRMOUNT, IN - A Ball State University student died late Sunday after driving his car through high water that overturned it, causing him to drown.

 Grant County Sheriff Darrell Himelick reported that deputies found Billy A. Taylor, 19, Kokomo in his car that was submerged in about five feet of water in a field off Ind. 26 near downtown.

 When authorities arrived, they found Taylor trapped in the car, which was pulled out so he could be freed. Attempts to revive Taylor failed and he was taken to Marion General Hospital where he was declared dead.

 The student, a graduate of Northwestern High School, appeared to be headed east when he drove through the water that carried it into deeper water in a field.Taylor was interesting in pursuing a business degree.

 High water along rivers and low lands was reported Sunday that closed other portions of Ind. 26 in Blackford County and Ind. 1 in Jay and Randolph counties.More than two inches of rain fell throughout Muncie and Marion that pushed the White and Mississinewa rivers to near flood stage.