JACKSON COUNTY - (April 14,2022) - On Wedensday, April 13, 2022, just before 3:00 pm, the Indiana State Police responded to a four-vehicle crash on US 31, south of Seymour, Indiana that claimed the life of a Scott County man.
The initial investigation by troopers with the Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team indicated that a 2005 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, being driven by Ronnie Brickley Jr, age 43, Scottsburg, Indiana was traveling northbound on US 31, south of County Road 275 North. For an unknown reason, Brickley’s vehicle crossed the centerline into the path of a southbound 2015 Kenworth dump truck being driven by Larry Pike, age 74, Seymour, Indiana.
Brickley’s vehicle struck the side of Pike’s vehicle before it traveled into the path of a southbound 2020 Kenworth dump truck being driven by Nicolas Merritt, age 31, Seymour, Indiana. Despite Merritt taking evasive action, Brickley’s vehicle and Merritt’s vehicle struck head on. After the vehicles collided, Merritt’s vehicle left the roadway before coming to a stop. Brickley’s vehicle came to rest in the road. A fourth vehicle, a 2007 Kia Sportage, being driven by Lawanda Halfacre, age 62, Deputy, Indiana that was traveling northbound on US 31 behind Brickley, sustained minor damage when it was struck by debris.
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Brickley sustained fatal injuries in the crash. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jackson County Coroner’s Office. Pike and Merritt were not injured in the crash. Halfacre sustained minor injuries in the collision.
Both dump trucks were owned by King’s Excavation, Seymour, Indiana. US 31 was closed for approximately four hours for crash investigation and cleanup.
Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be factors in the crash, but toxicology results are pending at this time.
The investigation is ongoing. Ronnie Brickley’s family has been notified.
The Indiana State Police was assisted at the scene by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Crothersville Police Department, Jackson County EMS, Crothersville Fire Department, Seymour Fire Department, Jackson County Coroner’s Office, and 31 Wrecker Service.