I-70 crash kills one and injures driver

CLAY COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) - Indiana State Police and Clay County emergency responders were dispatched to a one-vehicle crash in the westbound lanes of I-70 that injured the driver and killed the passenger of the vehicle.

According to a release from the Indiana State Police, the driver of the 1993 Ford Bronco swerved to miss a deer and traveled off the roadway and into the wooded median. The vehicle then struck several trees and caught on fire.

Other motorists and witnesses were able to free the driver from the car, but they were unable to get the passenger free due to the amount of flames.

An autopsy was completed this afternoon on the passenger and the Clay County Deputy Coroner Amy Shelton identified the victim as Mary J. Franklin, 76, of Lake Como, New Jersey.  The autopsy showed Franklin died from blunt force trauma prior to the vehicle fire.  Investigator say Franklin was the front seat passenger.  Her son, Daniel T. Franklin was airlifted to Wishard Hospital.  He had several injuries including burns.

Police say alcohol and drugs did not play a factor in this accident.