Name released in fatal I-70 crash

INDIANA (WTHI) - At just after 4:00 Tuesday afternoon, Indiana State and Putnam County emergency agencies responded to a two-vehicle crash in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 at the 30 mile marker. The crash involved a cement truck and a sport utility vehicle with two persons injured and one deceased at the scene.

Investigations revealed a 2002 Ford Explorer driven by Georgia Mathews, age 70, of Indianapolis was stopped or at a near stop in the eastbound passing lane due to construction. In the front passenger seat was her husband Willis Lee Mathews, age 74, of Indianapolis and in the right rear passenger seat was their sister-in-law, Margaret Mathews, age 73, of Indianapolis, IN.

An eastbound 2001 Advance cement truck driven by William R. Lindeman, age 51, of Spencer, IN., was attempting to negotiate around a large section of freshly poured concrete in the eastbound driving lane, when the left wheels of the truck dropped into the wet concrete causing Lindeman to lose control. The cement truck then veered to the left and overturned onto the SUV. The cement truck was hauling cement and weighed approximately 70,000 lbs.

Lindeman was taken to Putnam County Hospital for internal injuries, not believed life-threatening..

Georgia Mathews was uninjured and able to free herself from the SUV. Willis Mathews was trapped in the vehicle for nearly 2 hours before being extricated by the Washington Township and Cloverdale Township Fire Departments.

During the extrication, Curtis Wrecker Service had secured strap and chains to the cement truck and was able to lift some of the pressure off of the SUV. Willis Mathews was then airlifted by Air Evac helicopter to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for treatment of lower leg and internal injuries. He was conscious during the entire extrication.

The right rear passenger, Margaret Mathews, was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Putnam County Deputy Coroner.  Mathews died as a result of blunt force trauma she sustained from the accident.

Family has been notified. Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be a factor. No citations issued.

I-70 eastbound and westbound was closed for nearly two hours due extrication and landing/take off of helicopter.