2 Ind. COs, inmate airlifted to hospital following crash involving transport van

A pickup truck crashed head-on into a Putnamville Correctional Facility van, seriously injuring two COs and an inmate who were inside the van

August 02, 2024 10:59 AM

The Tribune-Star, Terre Haute, Ind.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — A two vehicle accident in Putnam County sent four people to Indianapolis hospitals via air ambulance, Indiana State Police said in a news release.

At approximately 4 p.m. Wednesday, ISP responded to a two vehicle accident at U.S. 231 near Jackson Street in Greencastle involving a pickup truck and a Department of Corrections van.

Preliminary investigation indicates a 2024 GMC pickup driven by Brad Polster, 47, of Greencastle was traveling northbound on U.S. 231 when he drifted into the southbound lane for an unknown reason. Polster then crashed head-on into a 2020 Ford van owned by the Department of Corrections. The van was driven by Tyler Shoemaker, 31, of Knightsville. Shoemaker is a Correctional Officer at the Putnamville Correctional Facility. An additional Correctional Officer and one inmate were also in the van.

Due to the seriousness of the injuries, all four individuals were transported to hospitals in Indianapolis via air ambulance. Injuries were non-life-threatening, ISP stated in the release.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, Greencastle Police Department, Greencastle Fire Department, Putnam County EMS, Life Line, Stat Flight, INDOT and Curtis Wrecker Service.

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