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Ronald G. Imel

61

Ronald Gene "Ronnie" Imel

9/15/1962 - 3/13/2001

Madison man dies when trucks collide

Accident occurred on S.R. 256 near Thompson Road

Indiana Department of Highways crews stood in shock around a crumpled yellow dump truck that entombed their friend and co-worker who was killed on S.R. 256 Tuesday afternoon.

Ronnie Imel, 38, of Madison, was the passenger in a large dump truck when he was killed. The state highway truck was traveling east on S.R. 256 when it met a masonry company truck pulling a front-end loader on a trailer. The wreck occurred near the junction of Thompson Road.

The Jefferson County Sheriff said Tuesday's strong wind gusts may have caused the trailer to fishtail and collide with the front of the state highway truck. Indiana State Police is reconstructing the accident to determine the cause and the JCSO is leading the investigation.

"It very well could have been because of the wind. It does not appear speed was a factor," the Jefferson County Sheriff said. People standing between the two trucks were physically moved by the strong wind.

The masonry company's red truck was traveling in the westbound lane, but the impact caused it to turn 180 degrees. The steel trailer hitch was attached with four bolts, which were scattered on the road and the grass.

The front-end loader was still on the trailer, but it was facing the opposite direction of the truck. The scoop and trailer arm were wedged into the dirt ditch on the west side of Thompson Road.

"It appears the trailer was still attached (on impact) because the masonry truck was spun around", the Jefferson County Sheriff said.

The bright yellow state highway truck was carrying a salt box at the time of the accident. The box and various parts of the vehicle were strewn along the roadway and in the grass near its final resting-place. One of the truck's diesel tanks was torn from its fitting and spewed its contents over the highway.

The state highway truck driver steered the highway truck to the right, went off the roadway and into a ditch. Large ruts show the path of the truck, which overturned after going in the ditch. There are no shoulders on the road so the driver's only option was to go in the ditch.

The passenger's side of the cab was crushed, killing Imel. The Coroner said he may have died from head and neck injuries, but an autopsy will be done by the Kentucky Medical Examiner's office to determine the cause of death.

"This is one of the roads that has the worst accidents. In the vicinity of Thompson Road seems to be the most likely place to have accidents," the Jefferson County Sheriff said.

The state highway truck driver was taken to King's Daughters' Hospital with a shoulder injury. Both he and the driver of the masonry truck will be given blood alcohol and drug tests as a routine measure.

Several members of the state highway department stood around the accident site, having rushed to the scene after hearing radio traffic about the crash. "There wasn't anybody any better or any harder working. That's all there is to it," said an emotional friend who was also his immediate supervisor. "I can't believe it. He was the finest guy I ever knew."

The owner of the masonry truck, said his crew was on its way to a job site to prepare it for the next day's work. The masonry business is located about two miles from the accident scene.

Imel was cut free from the wrecked truck by the Hanover Fire Department's Jaws of Life.

Both trucks were inspected by an Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Inspector. "I can't comment on if it malfunctioned because we don't know yet," he said. "There's several hours left just on the equipment and reconstruction of the accident to see if we can determine what happened.

Source: The Madison Courier 3/14/2001