Fayette County, Ind. – The driver of a propane truck received serious injuries after he drove off the roadway Monday afternoon to avoid a head-on collision, Indiana State Police said.
Police said the propane driver tried to prevent a crash with a red SUV that was passing another vehicle in a no-passing zone going up a hill.
Vernon Lee Brown, 60, of Connersville, was northbound going down a hill on Indiana 1, just south of Wellsview Road south of Connersville, when a red southbound SUV, with an unidentified female driver, began passing another vehicle going up the hill.
To avoid a head-on collision with the SUV, Brown drove his truck off the right side of the road where he lost control. The truck then traveled back across the road, going off the west side of Indiana 1, where it struck a utility pole before rolling onto its side.
Brown, who received serious injuries, had to be airlifted to a hospital in Indianapolis. The SUV left the scene, and Indiana State Police at the Pendleton District needs the public’s help in identifying the driver of the red SUV, make unknown.
If anyone may have witnessed the crash, or may have information about the red SUV and its driver, you’re encouraged to call the Pendleton District at 765-778-2121 for Trooper Josh Bayly, the investigating officer. Tips can be made and kept anonymous.