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Driver flown for medical treatment after second of two Wednesday crashes

Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 10:53 AM

By Staff report

A Wednesday crash scene led to another with serious injuries for the Parke County Sheriff's deputies.

Deputies responded to an accident at the intersection of SR 59 and Mansfield Road where it was reported that a Ford Escape had hit a Chevrolet pickup truck and fled the scene. Deputies completed their investigation and began looking for the suspect vehicle in the area.

Just before 7 p.m., deputies responded to a 911 hang up call on CR 500 S . There they located a Ford Escape with airbag deployment had crashed head-on into a tree. Deputies identified the driver as James Whalen, 56, of Rockville in the vehicle with serious injuries. Whalen was removed from the vehicle by fire personnel and flown by helicopter to an Indianapolis hospital for his injuries.

The report from the Parke County Sheriff's Office states alcohol is believed to be a factor in this accident and all paperwork will be forwarded to the Parke County Prosecutor's Office for review. 

 

 

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