BLUFFTON MAN KILLED IN I-69 CRASH IN HUNTINGTON COUNTY
HUNTINGTON COUNTY, IN (WISH) — A 77-year-old Bluffton man died early Wednesday after a crash on I-69.
Richard Elston was driving eastbound on County Road 200 North at approximately 12:45 a.m. when he reached a dead end, according to the Huntington County Sheriff's Office. Authorities stated he “failed to realize the road had ended.”
Investigators found that Elston's SUV went through the grass, crashing through an INDOT construction fence. The vehicle went airborne after hitting the edge of a southbound lane, striking a top barrier cable, which caused it to roll multiple times before landing on its roof in a northbound ditch.
Emergency responders located Elston, who was not wearing a seatbelt, partially pinned under the SUV. He sustained multiple blunt force traumatic injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. No other individuals were in the vehicle.
Authorities indicated that Elston may have mistakenly believed he was on County Road 300 North, a familiar route with an overpass. Alcohol is not considered a factor, but speed may have contributed to the incident.
The crash is under investigation by the Huntington County Sheriff's Office.