From Staff Reports
LOOGOOTEE — Five people were injured in a two-vehicle accident in Martin County on Friday.
According to state police, Clifford J. Lannan, 77, Loogootee, was driving a 1975 John Deere farm tractor south on U.S. 231, about a mile south of Loogootee, when a 2003 Chevrolet pickup truck, being driven behind the tractor by Jonathan P. Lackey, 22, Lawrenceville, Ill., struck the farm vehicle as it slowed to turn east onto Southridge Road. The crash occurred when Lackey began to pass the John Deere at the same time that Lannan began to turn onto Southridge Road.
The impact threw Lannan and his passenger James F. Lannan, 65, Loogootee, from the tractor pinning James Lannan under the tractor.
All three occupants of the Chevrolet were not wearing seatbelts and sustained head injuries from hitting the windshield.
“Seatbelts would have reduced injuries,” said Master Trooper Ken Miller, “Seatbelts will reduce injuries and save lives but only if people properly wear them.”
Clifford and James Lannan both suffered multiple serious injuries to their entire bodies.
Lackey and two passengers in his car, Richard B. Hill, 35, Washington, and Charles F. Condiff, 45, Fort Branch, suffered head injuries, and Condiff also suffered a leg injury.
All five injured were taken to area hospitals, with at least two brought to Daviess Community Hospital where they were met by two Air Evac helicopters.
No other information on the condition of the accident victims was available at press time.
Miller is the investigating officer, with assistance by the Martin County Sheriff’s Department, Loogootee Police Department, state conservation officers, Loogootee firefighters, Martin County Civil Defense and G&M; Wrecker Service.
