One person injured in single-vehicle crash on County Road 79 in DeKalb County, Indiana

Modified Date: 
Fri, 01/17/2025 - 12:27pm
Accident Date: 
Thursday, January 16, 2025

Single-vehicle crash injures Butler teen, totals vehicle

Deputies say the driver had complaints of head and leg pain due to the crash. 

 

A 16-year-old Butler resident sustained injuries in a single-vehicle accident that occurred on Thursday evening in DeKalb County, Indiana. The incident took place just before 6:00 PM near the intersection of County Road 79 and County Road 12. According to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, the teenager was operating a 2010 Ford F150 pickup truck northbound on C.R. 79 when the vehicle departed from the western edge of the roadway. The truck's passenger side rear section collided with a utility pole with sufficient force to break the pole, after which the vehicle rolled onto its passenger side. Emergency responders found the young driver conscious but complaining of head and leg pain. The F150 was declared a total loss following the incident. The prompt response from the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office ensured immediate attention to the crash scene and the injured driver.

Location and Infrastructure

The crash occurred along County Road 79 near its intersection with County Road 12, a rural crossroads in DeKalb County, located in northeastern Indiana. This area is characterized by its rural setting and grid-pattern county road system typical of Indiana's agricultural regions. The intersection serves local traffic and connects several smaller communities in the Butler area. The straight, rural nature of these roads can sometimes contribute to higher travel speeds, and utility poles positioned along the roadway's edge present fixed objects that can pose hazards in run-off-road incidents. The area is primarily surrounded by agricultural land, with scattered residential properties typical of rural DeKalb County.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Indiana law, all motor vehicle accidents involving injury or property damage exceeding $1,000 must be reported to law enforcement. Indiana follows a modified comparative fault system, whereby parties can seek compensation if they are found to be less than 51% at fault for an accident. In cases involving minor drivers, additional considerations regarding parental liability and insurance coverage may apply. The state's statute of limitations generally allows two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Potential compensation could include medical expenses, property damage, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. Insurance considerations may involve both collision coverage for vehicle damage and personal injury protection for medical expenses. An experienced DeKalb County personal injury lawyer will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

 

Related Resources

  • DeKalb County Sheriff's Office: (260) 925-3365
  • DeKalb County Emergency Medical Services
  • Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles - Teen Driver Resources
  • Indiana Department of Transportation - County Road Safety Information
  • DeKalb County Highway Department
  • Indiana State Police Crash Reports
  • Indiana Legal Aid - Auto Accident Resources
  • Local Victim Support Services - Northeast Indiana
Type: Car Accident
Roadway: 
County Road 79
City: 
Butler, IN