Fatality in US 40 two-car crash Wednesday

Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 12:33 PM

By Johnny McCrory

A Coatesville man was killed in a U.S. 40 two-vehicle crash Wednesday.

The Indiana State Police Putnamville Post is investigating the crash between a passenger vehicle and a pickup truck that occurred just before 4:30 p.m. at the junction of US 40 and State Road 240. According to the preliminary investigation a 2004 Lexus driven by Kent Smith, 67, of Coatesville was attempting to go eastbound on U.S. 40 from southbound State Road 240. Smith failed to observe a 2021 Ford pickup truck that was traveling westbound on U.S. 40 driven by Charlie Slicer Jr., 59 of Quincy. Slicer attempted an evasive driving maneuver but was unable to avoid the collision. The force of the collision caused the Lexus to travel off the roadway, where it rolled onto its top.

Smith sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Putnam County Coroner’s Office.

Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be a contributing factor of the accident.

Putnam County Sheriff's Department, Putnam County EMS, Putnam County Coroner’s Office, and Curtis Wrecker Service assisted at the scene.