Two crashes send Columbus residents to Indy hospital

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is investigating two traffic crashes Tuesday involving roll-overs.

At approximately 5:50 p.m., deputies responded to the 2000 block of North County Road 325 West. Upon arrival, a vehicle was located along the east side of the road. Authorities say the vehicle was inverted and appeared to have rolled over multiple times.

The initial investigation shows that the vehicle was traveling northbound when, for an unknown reason, it left the roadway. After returning to the road, it appeared that the driver may have over-corrected and the vehicle again left the roadway causing it to overturn multiple times.

The driver, 33-year-old Vanessa Lewis, of Columbus, was flown to Methodist Hospital by Lifeline. Two juvenile passengers were transported to Columbus Regional Hospital for minor injuries.

Lewis’ condition remains unknown at this time.

North County Road 325 West was closed for about an hour during cleanup.

BCSO Road Patrol Commander, Captain Dave Steinkoenig, says that although speed has not been determined to be the cause of this crash, this is a very busy roadway and speed continues to be an issue in the area.

Later, shortly after 8 p.m., deputies responded to Southern Crossing/County Road 150 East for a one-vehicle crash. A male was lying in the roadway and a Jeep Wrangler appeared to have roll-over damage.

The driver, 27-year-old Jeremy Dance, of Columbus, was transported to Methodist Hospital by Lifeline. A juvenile passenger was not hurt. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

The condition of Dance is unknown at this time.