Car crash claims Greencastle life

A car crash on U.S. 231 in Montgomery County Monday has claimed the lives of two individuals, according to authorities. 

Masey Ward, 26, Brazil, and Rogelio Diaz Gomez, 38, Greencastle, were both pronounced dead at the scene of the three vehicle crash. A 41-year-old man who was a back seat passenger in Ward’s vehicle was extricated from the wreckage and flown by LifeLine helicopter to an Indianapolis-area hospital with serious injuries.

According to authorities, Richard L. Neal, 39, New Market, was operating a Chevy Silverado intoxicated. Neal was taken to a hospital and once released will be charged with two counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death and operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury. 

Investigators believe Neal was traveling east on County Road 600 South when he entered the westbound lane, passing several vehicles. He continued through the intersection and into the travel lanes of U.S. 231, where he made contact with the vehicle driven by Ward. 

Ward's vehicle was then pushed into the northbound lanes, where it collided with a 2004 Buick Enclave, which was driven by Sandra Hutson, 73, of Crawfordsville. Several of the passengers in the Enclave received serious injuries and were transported to Franciscan Health Crawfordsville.

Police continue to investigate and anyone with any information is asked to call Capt. Jake Watson, Detective Jared Kirby or Deputy Caleb Berry at 765-362-3740.