A tragic collision near Lapel High School on Thursday morning has left two men dead and two women seriously injured. According to the Madison County Sheriff's Department, the accident occurred when a 2009 Nissan Xterra failed to stop at a stop sign and was struck by a Jeep. Madison County Coroner Adam Matson identified one of the deceased as Mikels Savostins of Indianapolis. The identity of the second male victim is pending release from the Marion County Coroner's Office. Two female passengers from the Nissan suffered severe injuries and were airlifted from the scene to receive emergency medical treatment. The 18-year-old driver of the Jeep reportedly escaped the collision without injury. Emergency responders, including paramedics and the Madison County Sheriff's Department, were quickly dispatched to the scene to provide immediate assistance and secure the area. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is ongoing as authorities work to gather additional details.

Location and Infrastructure

The collision occurred at an intersection near Lapel High School, a notable landmark in Madison County, Indiana. This area features a network of local roads that connect the small town of Lapel with surrounding communities and Indianapolis, approximately 30 miles to the southwest. The presence of a stop sign at the intersection indicates a controlled traffic pattern designed to manage the flow of vehicles around the school zone. During morning hours, this area typically experiences increased traffic volume due to school drop-offs and commuter traffic. The proximity to Lapel High School makes this intersection particularly sensitive from a safety perspective, as student drivers and school buses regularly navigate these roads. The rural character of Madison County roads, combined with varying speed limits as drivers transition between school zones and open roadways, can create challenging driving conditions that require heightened attention from motorists.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Indiana law, failure to obey traffic control devices such as stop signs constitutes a traffic violation that may establish negligence in civil claims arising from an accident. Indiana follows a modified comparative fault system, meaning injured parties may recover damages so long as they are not more than 50% responsible for the collision. Survivors of the deceased victims may have grounds for wrongful death claims, while the injured passengers could pursue personal injury compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Indiana's statute of limitations generally allows two years from the date of the accident to file personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits. Victims and their families should be aware that Indiana's auto insurance requirements include minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, though these minimums may be insufficient in serious cases like this one. Underinsured motorist coverage could provide additional compensation if the at-fault driver's insurance is inadequate.

Related Resources

• Madison County Sheriff's Department: (765) 646-9290
• Madison County Emergency Medical Services: (765) 642-0403
• Lapel Fire Department: (765) 534-3181
• Indiana State Police Crash Assistance: (317) 232-8248
• Indiana Department of Transportation Safety Programs: www.in.gov/indot/safety(link is external)
• Brain Injury Association of Indiana: (317) 356-7722
• Indiana Victims Compensation Program: (800) 353-1484
• Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles: www.in.gov/bmv(link is external)
• Indiana Legal Services: (844) 243-8570
• Indiana Code Title 9 (Motor Vehicles): www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title9(link is external)