Sheriff’s Office Investigates Four Vehicle Crash on US 421
On Wednesday, December 18, 2019, at approximately 11:57 AM (CST), deputies were dispatched to the area of US 421 and CR 870 South in rural Clinton Township, reference a personal injury crash. Deputies were advised that one of the vehicles involved was a Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) vehicle that was transporting inmates.
The crash investigation determined a 2006 Lexus, driven by Jennifer M. LANGGUTH (49 YOA) of Wanatah, was traveling south on US 421. LANGGUTH slowed her vehicle due to another US 421 southbound vehicle in front of her that was turning into a driveway. After the vehicle turned and as LANGGUTH accelerated, her vehicle was struck in the rear by the 2016 TCSO Dodge Ram truck being driven by ThomasL. WELCHER (65 YOA) of Lafayette. WELCHER observed the turning vehicle and as the vehicles proceeded south on US 421, the TCSO truck was struck from behind by a Morris Motor Services 2006 Mack dump truck, being driven by James R. SURGEON (37 YOA) of Walkerton. SURGEON advised the investigating deputy that he attempted to stop but was unable to do so. A second Morris Motor Services dump truck, also a 2006 Mack, being driven by Braxton J. HANEY (28 YOA) of Westville, was also traveling south on US 421 behind all the other vehicles. HANEY advised the investigating deputy he noticed SURGEON’S truck was slowing in front of him and that he also attempted to stop but was unable to do so and struck the rear of SURGEON’S truck.
WELCHER complained of upper body pain. All three (3) inmates that were being transported in the TCSO truck were injured. Zachary R. ROBBINS (28 YOA) complained of upper body pain. Iram R. SIMPSON (35 YOA) complained of upper body pain. Donte L. KIDD (54 YOA) sustained an upper body injury. WELCHER, ROBBINS and SIMPSON were transported to an area hospital for treatment. KIDD was transported by a medical helicopter to a regional hospital for treatment. HANEY was also injured during the crash. He complained of upper body pain and was also transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Cass-Clinton and Westville Volunteer Fire Departments, Lutheran Air, La Porte County EMS and John’s Garage.
All of the MMS Drivers drive like idiots, speeding hauling overweight, Driving long over the DOT regulated hours and encouraged to if not demanded to do so by the so called owner Chris Linders. They have a select group of drivesr there who can pass a DOT random drug test and that group get sent over and over and the word random he calls you on the phone and tell you you can go sometime during the week after hours of course. Strange he poses as the owner but everything has Ron Morris of Crown Point, IN. as the retested agent