A woman died Monday afternoon in a devastating collision between a car and pickup truck at the intersection of U.S. 40 and County Road 600 East, located in a rural area east of Greenfield, Indiana. The crash was reported at 3:35 p.m. Monday, when the woman's 2017 Acura ILX car was northbound on County Road 600 East and collided with a 2012 Ford F-350 that a boy was driving east on U.S. 40. The Hancock County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene and began investigating the fatal collision. Deputies were working to confirm the identity of the woman as of Monday night's official release. The boy was taken in good condition to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis with injuries not believed to be life-threatening. The intersection is situated approximately six minutes east of downtown Greenfield and about 35 minutes east of downtown Indianapolis, marking another tragic reminder of the ongoing traffic safety challenges facing Hancock County residents and travelers.

Location and Infrastructure

U.S. 40 is a divided highway through the area, serving as a major east-west corridor that connects Indianapolis with communities further east in Indiana. The intersection with County Road 600 East represents a typical rural crossing where a local county road meets a federal highway, creating potential conflict points between local and through traffic. The area east of Greenfield is characterized by rural farmland and residential developments, with County Road 600 East serving local residents and agricultural operations. Traffic patterns in this area typically involve commuters traveling between Indianapolis and smaller communities, along with local traffic accessing residential areas and farms. The divided nature of U.S. 40 in this section indicates higher traffic volumes and speeds, which can create challenging conditions for vehicles attempting to cross or turn onto the highway from intersecting county roads.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Indiana law, personal injury claims arising from traffic accidents must be filed within two years of the date of the accident, making it crucial for affected parties to understand their legal options promptly. Indiana follows right-of-way laws at intersections, where vehicles on the main roadway typically have priority over those entering from side roads. Indiana applies a modified comparative negligence rule, allowing injured parties to recover damages as long as they are not more than 50 percent at fault for the accident. Potential compensation in fatal accident cases may include medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, and pain and suffering damages for surviving family members. Wrongful death claims in Indiana are subject to the same two-year statute of limitations, with the clock beginning from the date of death rather than the accident date. Insurance considerations include liability coverage requirements, uninsured motorist protection, and potential coverage disputes between multiple insurers involved in the collision.

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• Hancock County Sheriff's Office: Primary law enforcement response for rural areas
• Greenfield Fire Department: Emergency medical and rescue services
• IU Health Methodist Hospital Indianapolis: Level I trauma center for serious injuries

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT): Traffic data and road safety information
• Hancock County Highway Department: Local road maintenance and safety initiatives
• Indiana State Police: Crash report repository and traffic enforcement

Support Services:

• Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Indiana: Victim support and advocacy
• Indiana Victim Assistance Program: Counseling and legal guidance for accident victims
• Local grief counseling services: Support for families affected by traffic fatalities

Legal Information:

• Indiana Code Title 34: Personal injury and wrongful death statutes
• Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles: Traffic laws and safety regulations
• Indiana State Bar Association: Attorney referral services for accident victims