Putnam County Sheriff's Office investigating fatal crash

Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 8:09 AM

By Paul Gable

A fatal four vehicle crash is currently under investigation by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, according to Sheriff Jerrod Baugh.

Deputies and emergency personnel responded to the four vehicle crash on Monday afternoon on U.S. 36, west of US 231.

According to witness statements, three vehicles were traveling east on U.S. 36 when the lead vehicle crossed the center line, colliding head-on with a westbound semi-truck. The vehicle sustained heavy damage and both occupants of the lead vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene.

Responding emergency personnel encountered a semi-truck and bulk hauler that had overturned onto its side and caught fire, causing fuel to leak beneath two additional vehicles involved in the crash. No occupants were burned in the fires.

According to Baugh, the driver of the semi-truck was airlifted to a medical facility for treatment and has spoken with responding deputies.

Baugh asked the community to keep everyone involved in the accident, the families of the deceased and all responding emergency personnel in their thoughts and prayers in the coming days. The identities of those involved are being withheld pending further notification and the ongoing investigation.

Assisting at the scene were Putnam County EMS, Greencastle Fire Department, Bainbridge Fire Department and the Russellville Fire Department.

The crash remains under investigation, according to Baugh.