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Gary Rex Petty

64

Gary Rex Petty

7/13/1940 - 8/22/2002

1 killed, 1 injured in crash

PLAINVILLE - One state highway worker was killed and another seriously injured Thursday afternoon, August 22, 2002, near Plainville, shortly after they had finished mowing along SR 57.

Gary Petty, 62, Rt. 2, Washington, died at the Daviess Community Hospital at 2:50 p.m. from injuries suffered when he and a co-worker were struck by a 1987 GMC Aramark delivery truck.

An Indiana State Trooper, the first police officer on the scene, investigated the 2:14 p.m. accident which occurred near CR 575N, about four miles south of Plainville.

The Indiana Department of Transportation employees had gotten off the mowers and were standing off the highway in a field, waiting to be picked up by another employee.

As the delivery truck approached the area where the workers were waiting, the driver braked in an attempt to avoid striking a slower moving vehicle in front of him.

The delivery truck went left of center and rolled several times, according to witnesses.

Both Petty and the other highway worker were struck by the truck.

The other worker was lifelined by Air Evac to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, where he was listed in serious condition in the intensive care unit at 8:30 a.m. August 23rd.

The Daviess County Coronor said an autopsy will be performed the afternoon of August 23rd on Petty at Gill Funeral Home by a forensic pathologist from Bedford.

The Indiana State Trooper said the investigation is continuing and the case will be turned over to the Daviess County Prosecutor who will determine if any charges will be filed.

State police officials asked that motorists be aware that it is extremely important to obey all traffic warning signs that indicate "road work" ahead, and said it is the motorist's responsibility to drive with due care when approaching or driving through work sites.

Daviess County sheriff's deputies, Southwest Medical Ambulance EMT's and Air Evac assisted at the accident scene.

Source: Washington Times-Herald 8/23/2002