Published: September 30, 2009 12:17 am         

Two-car accident ties up Indiana 63

TERRE HAUTE — A Newburgh woman was airlifted for medical treatment Tuesday after her sister’s pickup truck flipped in a two-vehicle accident on Indiana 63 at Durkees Ferry Road in northwestern Vigo County.

Both women were trapped in the 2007 Chevrolet pickup, and had to be extricated by members of the New Goshen and Sugar Creek fire departments about 30 minutes after the 12:26 p.m. crash.

Indiana State Police Sgt. Joe Watts and ISP Senior Trooper Jason Owen were on the scene within seconds after the crash, but could not extricate the women due to entrapment caused by the condition of their vehicle, Watts said.

An investigation by Owen revealed that a 2004 Chevrolet van driven by Travis A. Stafford, 37, of West Terre Haute, was eastbound on Durkees Ferry Road when it stopped for the southbound lanes of Indiana 63, and then proceeded into the median intersection. Once there, the van attempted to cross the northbound lanes of Indiana 63, and struck the driver’s side rear of the northbound pickup truck driven by Cindy K. Meyers, 63, of Grayville, Ill.

The pickup truck spun counterclockwise and rolled over multiple times, coming to rest on its top. Both Meyers, and her sister Sara B. Bucko, 67, of Newburgh, were wearing their seatbelts.

Bucko was treated for arm and internal injuries at the scene, but she became unresponsive, leading emergency personnel to airlift her to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. ISP’s Watts reported that Bucko is believed to have a previous heart condition, which may have contributed to the seriousness of her injuries.

Meyers complained of neck and back pain. She was transported to Union Hospital via TransCare ambulance.

Van driver Stafford did not report any injuries. He was cited for failure to yield the right-of-way.

Impaired driving was not a factor in the crash, Owen reported.

Assisting Owen and Watts at the crash scene were Troopers Gary Winters, Chuck Tharp and Joe Rutledge.

Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.