UPDATE: According to Hamilton Co. Sheriff’s Office Crash Team investigators, the driver of the van, identified as Rogelio Diaz, 43, Indianapolis, died late April 7 from injuries sustained in the crash.”
An afternoon crash April 7 at Baker’s Corner in Cicero dispatched Hamilton Co. Sheriff’s Office deputies to U.S. 31 and 236th Street in response to the “serious personal injury crash.”
Police said shortly after 2 p.m. officers were dispatched on a report of a utility van that had struck the rear of a semi truck, partially wedged underneath the trailer.
Police said witnesses also reported that the van was on fire with the driver trapped in the van, experiencing episodes of unconsciousness. Several passing motorists stopped and assisted by offering fire extinguishers until public safety personnel arrived.
According to the initial investigation by the Hamilton Co. Sheriff’s Office Crash Investigation Team, Bryon Hobbs, 57, Converse, Ind., was traveling northbound on U.S. 31in a Freightliner truck when he stopped at a red light at 236th Street. A white Ford was also traveling northbound on U.S. 31 when it collided with the rear of the truck.
The driver was trapped in the van until extricated by fire personnel and taken by medical helicopter to Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis.
Injuries to the driver were listed as unspecified but incapacitating along with burns to his legs. Hobbs was not injured in the crash.
Police said toxicology tests were conducted on both drivers, results pending.
The name of the van’s driver has not been released by police, pending notification of family due to the nature and extent of the injuries.
In a statement, the Sheriff’s Office thanked “several unnamed and unknown motorists, especially the commercial vehicle drivers, who stopped and assisted.”
Deputies stated citizens left at least six fire extinguishers at the scene, “which assisted in controlling a fire that might have been much worse.”
This incident is still under investigation by the Hamilton Co. Crash Investigation Team. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 317-773-1282.
