Bean Blossom Township Stinesville Fire Department

William E. Johnson, 33, of Freedom, was killed about 4:40 p.m., when the truck he was driving westbound went left of center. Johnson’s extended-cab pickup — an Asplundh company vehicle — crashed into a gray Ford pickup that was headed east. Coroner Jerry Reed pronounced Johnson dead at the scene of the crash.  A report from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office indicated Johnson fell asleep at the wheel, causing the truck to drift and cross the center line.  The driver of the gray pickup was Joseph P. Desmond III, of Bloomington. He was flown by medical helicopter to an Indianapolis hospital for treatment.  Three passengers in the Asplundh truck were also injured. One was also flown by helicopter to an Indianapolis hospital, while the other two were taken to Bloomington Hospital for treatment. No information was available Wednesday night as to the identities of the three passengers or the extent of their injuries, or on Desmond’s condition.

Ind. 46 was closed down for about two and a half hours and traffic was rerouted onto West Chafin Chapel and Red Hill roads until rescue work was completed and the wreckage was cleared away.

EARLIER UPDATES:

8:11 p.m. Tuesday

Details of fatal head-on crash were released, including names, by the Monroe County Sheriff's Department at this hour:  "The crash investigation indicates a white Ford pickup truck, traveling west bound on SR 46, went left of center striking a gray Ford pickup truck traveling east bound on SR 46 head-on. The white pickup truck is a company truck that was transporting three employees and the driver. The driver of the white pickup was identified as William E. Johnson, age 33, of Freedom, Indiana. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Monroe County Coroner, Jerry Reed. The driver of the gray Ford pickup truck was identified as Joseph P. Desmond III, of Bloomington, Indiana and was Lifelined to Indianapolis from the scene. One employee from the white pickup truck was also Lifelined from Bloomington Hospital. The extent of the injuries to the other occupants is unknown at this time."

7:50 p.m.

The driver of the white Asplundh truck may have fallen asleep and crossed left of center, striking the other vehicle, according to Mike Pershing with MCSD. The account is based on a report from a passenger in the white truck.  Pershing also said the crash happened near the intersection of Ind. 46 and Flatwoods Road not Stinesville Road as earlier reported.  The sheriff's department is now in the process of contacting the family of the person who died in the accident. The person's name will not be released until family has been contacted. Pershing didn't know when that may happen.

7:10 p.m.

Ind. 46 is reopened at this hour, according to Monroe County Sheriff's Department. The identity of the person who died in the two-vehicle crash is still unknown at this time. The department released the following information:  The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal accident that occurred at approximately 4:41 pm on West State Road 46 near Stinesville Road in Monroe County. The crash involved two pickup trucks that collided head on, resulting in one fatality. There were a total of four others injured. Two of the injured were transported to Bloomington Hospital and two were Lifelined to Indianapolis. The crash is being investigated by accident reconstruction specialists from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Agencies assisting were Indiana State Police, Ellettsville Police Department, Owen County Ambulance Service and Bean Blossom Township Fire Department. Due to this crash, the roadway was re-opened after a two and a half hour closure. At this time the crash remains under investigation.

6:58 p.m.

H-T photographer Jeremy Hogan and reporter Brady Gillihan have returned from the scene. Hogan has more photos and video footage from the accident scene. As the photographs indicate, the crash involved two trucks. Hogan said the crash happened about 200 meters east of Flatwoods Road. Stay with us for updates. Calls are out to Pershing and the county coroner for more details.

6:28 p.m.

One person has died in this evening's two-vehicle, head-on crash, confirmed Mike Pershing with the Monroe County Sheriff's Department. Two people in the crash were flown from the scene by helicopter. Two accident reconstructionists are at the scene this hour. Ind. 46 west is closed. Pershing could not say when it may reopen.

5:59 p.m.

Reporter Brady Gillihan just called in and is reporting one person died in the two-vehicle crash, according to scanner traffic. Initial reports said everyone else inside the two vehicles were extricated. West-bound traffic on Ind. 46 is being diverted to Red Hill Road. Gillihan said he is unable to get close to the crash because of the barricades.

5:08 p.m. update

A Lifeline helicopter is en route to the scene of the two-vehicle crash, according to police scanner traffic.

One vehicle had 5 people inside; one person has been extricated from the vehicle. The other vehicle only had a driver.  Reporter Brady Gillihan is on his way to the scene.

4:58 p.m.

A head-on collision reported at this hour on Ind. 46 and Stinesville Road appears to involve at least three injuries.  Police and rescue vehicles have been called to the scene and radio reports indicate three people needing transport by ambulance.