Downed tree closes U.S. 231, causes crash

A Huntingburg teen collided with a tree down across U.S. 231 near Witz Road at about 8:30 p.m. Monday night.

The crash and tree blocked both lanes of the highway for about 45 minutes while crews from the Jasper fire and police departments joined the sheriff’s department in removing the tree and car.

According to authorities, Brevin T. Sternberg, 18, of Ridgewood Drive, was southbound on U.S. 231 in a 1998 Ford Mustang when he failed to notice a large tree blocking both lanes of traffic. The car crashed through the tree.

Sternberg was not injured and the car, which was driven from the scene, had about $4,000 in damages, according to police.