Friday, July 1st, 2022
Coldwater man dies in Indiana van-semi collision
By Leslie Gartrell
BRYANT, Ind. - A 40-year-old Coldwater man died early Thursday morning after his vehicle collided with a semitrailer in Jay County, Indiana.
Joshua Highley was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to a news release and crash report from the Jay County Sheriff's Office. Deputies were notified of the crash at 5:21 a.m. and arrived at the scene at 5:30 a.m., per the crash report.
Highley reportedly was driving a 2017 Chevrolet Express van west on State Road 67 at 5:21 a.m. near the intersection of State Road 67 and County Road 350 East.
Greg Smith, 54, of Rushville, Indiana, was driving a Peterbilt semitrailer east on State Road 67 near the same intersection, according to the release.
Highley reportedly traveled across the center line completely into Smith's lane, per the release. Smith tried to steer out of the way, but Highley's vehicle reportedly swerved back into the semitrailer's direction.
Highley's vehicle collided head-on with the semitrailer, causing it to go partially off of the north side of the roadway and catch fire, according to the release.
Highley was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
Smith reportedly had pain after the accident and asked to be taken by emergency medical services to IU Jay Hospital in Portland, Indiana, for an evaluation due to the severity of the crash.
It is unknown if Highley was wearing a seatbelt when the accident occurred. The crash report does not indiciate if drugs or alcohol were suspected.
Smith reportedly submitted a blood sample to be tested for drugs and alcohol at 6:15 a.m. Thursday at the hospital, per the release. He was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Smith's semitrailer sustained heavy and disabling front-end damage, while Highley's vehicle was completely burned from the crash, the release reads.
