A devastating motor vehicle accident occurred on Monday, April 28, in rural Boone County, Indiana, resulting in the tragic death of a local mother and serious injuries to three children. The incident took place on U.S. 52 near County Road 650 North, just outside of Thorntown, shortly after 3 p.m. According to the Boone County Sheriff's Office, a southbound vehicle rear-ended a stationary trash truck that had pulled to the side of the road while servicing a nearby residence. First responders discovered the vehicle's driver, identified as 32-year-old Maranda Rice from Colfax, Indiana, unconscious at the scene. Good Samaritans assisted in extracting three children from the vehicle before emergency services arrived. All four occupants were transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Tragically, on Wednesday, April 30, the Boone County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Maranda Rice had succumbed to her injuries. The occupants of the trash truck sustained only minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

Location and Infrastructure

U.S. 52 is a critical transportation route through Boone County, connecting rural communities and serving as a major thoroughfare for local and regional traffic. The area near Thorntown is characterized by a mix of agricultural landscapes and residential properties, with frequent rural road intersections and service vehicles operating in the vicinity. This stretch of highway features varying road conditions typical of rural Indiana, including potential challenges such as limited visibility, roadside obstacles, and intermittent shoulder areas. The proximity to County Road 650 North suggests a rural intersection with potential complexities for drivers, including agricultural equipment, service vehicles, and changing traffic patterns throughout the day.

Legal Rights and Considerations

In incidents involving motor vehicle accidents with serious injuries, victims and their families may be entitled to various forms of compensation. Indiana law provides potential avenues for recovery, including personal injury claims, wrongful death actions, and insurance benefits. Typical considerations include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and potential long-term care costs. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Indiana is generally two years from the date of the accident, while wrongful death claims have a similar two-year timeframe from the date of death. Insurance investigations will likely focus on determining the precise cause of the collision, examining factors such as vehicle maintenance, driver condition, and road circumstances.

Related Resources

Emergency Services

• Boone County Sheriff's Office: (765) 482-1412
• Thorntown Police Department: (765) 483-4441
• Boone County Emergency Management: (765) 482-5252

Traffic Safety Resources

• Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT): https://www.in.gov/indot/
• Indiana Highway Safety Information: https://www.in.gov/cji/traffic-safety/
• Boone County Highway Department: (765) 482-3820

Victim Support Services

• Indiana Crime Victim Compensation: (317) 232-7540
• Boone County Victim Assistance Program: (765) 482-1468
• Indiana Victim Support Helpline: 1-800-955-4853

Legal and Regulatory Information

• Indiana Motor Vehicle Accident Laws
• Boone County Traffic Regulations
• Indiana Compiled Statutes - Traffic Laws