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Monroe County reserve deputy dies in crash while responding to scene

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WISH) — A reserve deputy with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office died Monday evening in a crash while responding to a scene, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputy James Driver, 38, was responding to a crash around 4 p.m. Monday with his emergency lights and sirens activated. According to Indiana State Police, Driver was traveling south on North State Road 45 when a 2006 GMC truck and trailer driven by Christopher Derr, 22, of Monticello, Illinois, was traveling north and attempted to stop but lost control, hitting Driver’s police cruiser near the intersection with Eller Road.

The police cruiser rolled off the road before stopping, and Driver was ejected from the car, ISP said.

Driver was taken to IU Health Bloomington Hospital, where he died from his injuries, the sheriff’s office said.

According to the sheriff’s office, Driver is originally from the U.K. and lived in Spencer, Indiana. He was sworn in as a reserve deputy in June 2018. Driver leaves behind a wife, one daughter and two stepchildren.

The Indiana State Police are investigating the crash.