Four injured in head-on collision near Dubois; two LifeFlighted to Evansville
Two adults were LifeFlighted and two children treated for injuries after a head-on collision east of the Dubois Crossroad Wednesday afternoon.
Brian S. Baker 57, of W. County Road 325N, West Baden, was eastbound on State Road 56 in a 2005 Honda CRV at about 5:55 p.m. when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle crossed the center line. The Honda traveled into the path of a westbound 2008 Toyota Prius driven by Jeannine C. Martin, 54, of Baden Strasse, Jasper, and the two vehicles collided.
Baker and Martin had to both be extricated from their vehicles before being transported to Memorial Hospital by ambulance. Both were then flown by helicopter to St. Mary’s Medical Center for treatment of their injuries.
According to deputies, Baker suffered an upper leg injury and Martin complained of chest and abdominal pain.
Two children in Martin’s Toyota were also injured and taken to Memorial Hospital by ambulance for treatment. A two-year-old in the car sustained an abrasion to his chin and a 10-month-old was bruised from the seatbelt, according to police.
Both vehicles were destroyed in the accident and authorities believe the use of seatbelts by all occupants greatly reduced the severity of the injuries.
The accident is under investigation and charges are pending.
Indiana State Police, Dubois Volunteer Fire Department and First Responders, Memorial Hospital Emergency Medical Services and a Uebelhor and Sons wrecker assisted at the scene.
Once again it must be asked, WHY? Why the expense and risk – and time (yes, time) – of a LifeFlight, for injuries that appear non-life-threatening and should easily be able to be assessed, one way or another, and either treated or stabilized at our renowned and award-winning Memorial Hospital? I’m not debating life vs. money – there’s no argument there if for a valid or even potentially life-threatening injury where time and specialized skills and equipment may be required – but rather simple common sense. These flights cost upwards of $20,000 each (as billed to insurance – and maybe that’s a key to this mystery). Ground ambulance transportation could do it for less than 1/10 (one tenth) of that cost – and in about the same time if they don’t have to come from Evansville. Even a medical-transport helicopter kept at-the-ready, by the time it’s alerted, prepared, staffed, and airborne from Evansville to here and then back to Evansville, takes the same or more time than a ground ambulance from here. And I’m not talking sirens blaring and speeding all the way to and from – there would be no need for that if the patient is stabilized and a move is still required (why would it be in most cases, if the patient can be stabilized and treated locally?).
So, I ask, what’s going on with these all-too-routine LifeFlights for non-emergencies? Are we on some sort of PC auto-pilot with these things (pun intended) or are the insurance companies seeing gold? Please, I don’t have the answers, but there sure seem to be a lot of questions that a lot of folks are asking that I wish someone in-the-know would provide some common-sense explanation. Thank you.