Austin, Indiana – A multi-vehicle crash Tuesday evening in southern Indiana has claimed the life of a 6-year-old girl and left several others hospitalized following a collision at a major Scott County intersection.
According to Indiana State Police, officers responded around 8:42 p.m. to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of State Road 256 and U.S. 31. The incident involved a white Toyota Camry and a Chrysler 300. Investigators said the Toyota was turning left on a green light when it was struck by the Chrysler, which allegedly ran a red light while traveling north on U.S. 31.
The driver of the Chrysler, identified as Dorothy J. Snell, 23, of Hanover, and multiple passengers—including two young children—sustained injuries. A 6-year-old girl in the backseat of the Chrysler was taken to Norton Scott Hospital but died from her injuries. A 2-year-old child in the same vehicle was also hospitalized but is expected to survive.
Snell was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Norton Scott Hospital. Another adult passenger from the Chrysler and both the driver and passenger of the Toyota were transported to the University of Louisville Hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.
Police said alcohol is suspected as a contributing factor in the crash, though toxicology reports are pending. Investigators are also working to determine whether the deceased child was properly restrained at the time of the collision. The Indiana Department of Child Services has launched a related investigation.
Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Team is leading the ongoing investigation, with assistance from the Austin Police Department, Scott County Sheriff’s Department, EMS, and the Scott County Coroner’s Office.
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