UPDATE: Driver "Inattentive" in Vigo County Crash that Killed 80-Year Old Woman
By: Kellie Bartoli
Updated: March 21, 2013
An 80-year-old Vigo County woman was killed in a car accident on U.S. 41 on Thursday.
It happened just after noon in front of Ryan's Steakhouse at 56th Drive.
Charlotte Ellis of Pimento was stopped at a red light and a semi plowed into her pickup truck.
Two other cars were hit in the chain reaction, and three cars were damaged by flying debris.
No other injuries were reported.
Police say the semi driver, 47-year-old James Bane of Michigan City, Indiana was "inattentive."
He told officers he was reaching for something that slid off a seat.
Sheriff Greg Ewing says there were no signs of skid marks and believes the semi was traveling at least 50-miles per hour.
"In this particular case I am just sure that the victim had absolutely no idea what had happened. I believe from what I have seen that she was probably killed on impact," said Sheriff Ewing.
Police say there was no malfunction with the semi's brakes.
The investigation into the crash continues, and will determine if charges will be filed against Bane.
Honey Creek Fire and Indiana State Police assisted with clean up and traffic diversion.
It happened just after noon in front of Ryan's Steakhouse at 56th Drive.
Charlotte Ellis of Pimento was stopped at a red light and a semi plowed into her pickup truck.
Two other cars were hit in the chain reaction, and three cars were damaged by flying debris.
No other injuries were reported.
Police say the semi driver, 47-year-old James Bane of Michigan City, Indiana was "inattentive."
He told officers he was reaching for something that slid off a seat.
Sheriff Greg Ewing says there were no signs of skid marks and believes the semi was traveling at least 50-miles per hour.
"In this particular case I am just sure that the victim had absolutely no idea what had happened. I believe from what I have seen that she was probably killed on impact," said Sheriff Ewing.
Police say there was no malfunction with the semi's brakes.
The investigation into the crash continues, and will determine if charges will be filed against Bane.
Honey Creek Fire and Indiana State Police assisted with clean up and traffic diversion.
