GREENSBURG, Ind. – The Indiana State Police (ISP) responded to a fatal, two-vehicle accident on State Route 46 in Decatur County, at around 2:40 p.m. on Saturday.
The initial investigation by the ISP-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team indicates that a Honda Odyssey mini-van being driven by Wanda Lutane, 61, of Columbus, was traveling westbound on State Route 46, near County Road 750W. For an unknown reason, Lutane’s vehicle crossed the centerline into the path of an eastbound Toyota Camry, being driven by Maria Verona Garcia, 42, of West Palm Beach, Florida.
The vehicles collided head-on, and Garcia’s vehicle overturned. Both vehicles came to rest in the roadway, entrapping all occupants. Garcia was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Decatur County Coroner’s Office. Lutane was transported by medical helicopter to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis, for treatment of serious injuries. A passenger in Garcia’s vehicle, Koceila Chaouadi, 33, of Columbus, was transported to St. Vincent’s Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
ISP says all occupants were believed to have been properly restrained at the time of the crash. It is unknown if drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash, but it is standard procedure for ISP to test drivers for alcohol and drugs. Toxicology results are pending and the investigation is ongoing.
