Tipton County – Today at approximately 3:52 a.m., officers from the Indiana State Police, the Tipton Police Department, and the Tipton County Sheriff’s Department responded to a single vehicle crash on Tipton County Road 400 East near Tipton County Road 550 South, in which an Atlanta, IN, man was found deceased.

The preliminary crash investigation by Master Trooper Bob Good revealed that Joseph Richards, 22, Atlanta, IN, man was driving a 1990 Dodge Dakota pickup truck northbound on County Road 400 East, south of County Road 550 South. For an unknown reason, the Dodge traveled off the eastside of the road, down an embankment, and came to rest on its top in a drainage ditch containing approximately three feet of water. This crashed occurred between approximately midnight and 3:51 a.m. this morning.

Richards was able to escape the wreckage and started to walk northbound on County Road 400 East. Approximately a half mile from the original crash scene, Richards collapsed in the roadway. At approximately 3:51 a.m., Richards was struck by a northbound 2004 Pontiac Grand Am. The Pontiac was driven by Michael Ducheteau, 20, Alexandria, IN. Ducheteau was not injured in the crash. The Richards was pronounced dead at the scene by Tipton County Coroner Robert Nichols.

At this time it is believed Richards was deceased prior to being struck by the Pontiac. It is not known if he died from an injury sustained in the initial crash or because of exposure to the subzero wind chill temperatures the area was experiencing this morning.

This is an ongoing investigation. Neither the use of alcohol nor narcotics is suspected as having contributed to the second crash. Toxicology test are pending as it relates to the initial crash.

Master Trooper Good was assisted with this investigation by Master Trooper Detective Mike Tarrh, Trooper Josh Bayly, the Madison Township Fire Department, and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department.