Hamilton County, Indiana Wreck Tragically Kills David Clouser And Injures His Passengers
Our hearts go out to the loved ones of David Clouser, the driver of a van involved in a Hamilton County, Indiana crash late Friday morning.
Witnesses say a semi, driven by 47 year old Tarrance Lee, collided with Clouser's van at US 31 and 236th Street at around 11:40 am. The semi, which was en route from South Bend, slammed into the van which was eastbound on 236th Street and pinned it against a tree.
Clouser was reported to have been killed instantly, while his passengers, Jeffrey Pinn of Rochester, N.Y., and Michael Zimmer of London, Ohio, were trapped in the vehicle for over an hour and a half. Both men are in fair condition at Indianapolis hospitals. Pinn reportedly had internal injuries and Zimmer suffered leg injuries in the crash.
Lee was handcuffed and led away from the scene. He is being held in the Hamilton County Jail for criminal recklessness with a motor vehicle causing death and false informing.
According to the Indiana Sex and Violent Offender's Registry, Lee was convicted of murder in 1986. He was released from prison in February 2006. Local news is reporting that Lee refused a breathalyzer and blood test after the crash.
They also say Lee, who was driving for Storm Trucking, either falsified his log books or lied about them to police.
Vanessa Cantley, attorney and partner with Bahe Cook Cantley & Nefzger PLC is an Indiana-licensed attorney experienced at handling catastrophic collisions involving commercial vehicles. She comments: "Our hearts go out to the families of David Clouser and we hope for a speedy recovery for Mr. Pinn and Mr. Zimmer. A comprehensive, independent accident reconstruction should be performed and, if Mr. Lee is found to have been criminally reckless, he should be held fully accountable by both our criminal and civil justice systems. Mr. Clouser's family will have the legal right to seek full compensation for his death from both Lee and his employer, Storm Trucking. Mr. Pinn and Mr. Zimmer will also have the legal right to recover for their injuries. This was clearly a preventable tragedy. Why was this man driving a semi truck? Was he under the influence of alcohol or drugs? Was he properly trained and supervised by his employer? What exactly was he doing when he disregarded traffic controls and slammed into Clouser's van? Mr. Clouser's family deserves answers."
For more information about the rights of victims injured or killed in collisions involving commercial vehicles in Indiana, contact Vanessa here.
