Fatal Crash in Austin Claims Life of Child

This crash remains under investigation

Scott County - On Tuesday, May 13, 2024, at approximately 8:42 p.m., officers from the Austin Police Department and Scott County Sheriff’s Department responded to two-car collision at the intersection of State Road 256 and U.S. 31. The Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Team was requested and assumed the investigation upon arriving on scene.

The preliminary investigation reveals that a 2022 white Toyota Camry was traveling westbound on SR256 and entered the intersection on a green light to turn south on U.S. 31.  At the same time, a 2008 Chrysler 300, driven by Dorothy J. Snell, 23, of Hanover, was traveling northbound on U.S. 31 and disregarded a red light, entering the intersection without stopping. The Chrysler collided with the Toyota as the Toyota turned south onto U.S. 31.

The driver and passenger of the Toyota were transported to the University of Louisville Hospital with injuries but are expected to survive.

Dorothy J. Snell was transported to Norton Scott Hospital in Scottsburg with non-life threatening injuries. The front passenger of the Chrysler was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital with injuries but is expected to survive. A 2-year-old child in the rear passenger seat was transported to Norton Scott Hospital and is also expected to survive.

Tragically, a six-year-old child who was also riding in the backseat of the Chrysler was transported to Norton Scott Hospital but succumbed to her injuries.

The investigation is ongoing, and part of the investigation will determine if the deceased child was properly secured in the vehicle. The Indiana Department of Child Services is conducting an independent investigation. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash; toxicology results are pending.

The Austin Police Department, Scott County Sheriff’s Department, Scott County EMS, and the Scott County Coroner’s Office assisted in the crash.