Fountain County-Yesterday afternoon, Indiana State Police Trooper Ryan Winters responded to a crash on I-74 at the 8 mile marker (this is the Covington exit) where a distracted driver hit the rear of a Indiana Department of Transportation (IDOT) dump truck sending both drivers to the hospital.

Preliminary investigation revealed that at approximately 3:52 pm, Michael Tempco, 32 of Louisville, Kentucky was reviewing a contract and or/using a cell phone when he looked up and was unable to avoid a large IDOT dump truck that was in the left lane. Tempco’s 2005 Lexus hit the rear of the dump truck.

The 2000 Sterling dump truck owned by IDOT had a portable impact attenuator affixed to the rear when it was struck.  The driver, David Kellar, 69 of Mellott, Indiana was taken to Saint Clare Hospital in Crawfordsville with complaint of pain. 

Tempco was taken to Provena Hospital in Danville, Illinois also for complaint of pain.  Tempco’s Lexus sustained heavy front end damage.  He was also cited for unsafe lane movement.

The interstate in this area was heavily marked with signage, vehicles, and workers.  The IDOT dump truck was also noticeably marked.

Agencies assisting: Fountain County Sheriff Department and Covington Police.

Many traffic crashes are caused by distracted driving.  Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention from the primary task of driving.  The Indiana State Police would like to remind motorist that drive time is NOT down time.  Driving is not the time to catch up on calls, work or eat.  The best way to end distracted driving is to educate people about the dangers it poses.

The state police are committed to reducing crashes and monitoring the top causes for crashes.  We are concentrating enforcement efforts on these causes.