One seriously injured in traffic accident on U.S. 231

Two people were injured in a car-versus-semi traffic accident on U.S. 231 between Huntingburg and Jasper near WITZ Road Wednesday just before 9 a.m.

According to deputies, a 1999 Toyota Corolla driven by 45-year-old Wayne Mehringer, Dubois, was traveling south on U.S. 231 at about 8:50 a.m. when it crossed the center line and side-swiped a 2000 International Semi driven by 55-year-old Thomas Seng, Dubois, that was in the northbound lane. The Toyota careened off of the truck back across the road grazing the guardrail and then spinning around before stopping in the southbound lane facing north. The semi stopped in the northbound shoulder of the highway.

The driver of the Toyota had to be extricated from the vehicle by Jasper First Responders and was then taken by ambulance to Memorial Hospital where he was taken by LifeFlight to St. Mary’s Hospital for injuries to his head, abdomen and leg areas.

The driver of the semi was transported by ambulance to Memorial Hospital for complaint of pain to his back, neck and shoulder areas.

The Toyota was considered a total loss and was towed from the scene by Uebelhor and Sons Wrecker Services.

The International had about $10,000 in damages and was towed from the scene by Stork’s Wrecker Service.

U.S. 231 was closed for about one hour while the scene was cleared.

The Indiana State Police, Jasper Police Department, Jasper Fire Department, and the Huntingburg Police Department assisted at the scene.

The accident is still under investigation and the names of the drivers are being withheld pending notification of family members.

The condition of the drivers was unknown at the time of this report.