9:34 p.m.: Two killed in Ingalls crash

By Brandi Watters

March 22, 2008 09:35 pm

— Two area residents — both wearing seat belts — were killed in a head-on collision in Ingalls Saturday.
The accident occurred at 1:33 p.m. at 730 E. Broadway, according to the Madison County Sheriff’s Department
Gary L. Gates, 50, of Anderson, was pronounced dead at 3:05 p.m. at the scene of the accident after his truck left its lane on Indiana 67 and struck an oncoming vehicle driven by 65-year-old Alice Barger of Fortville.
It is believed that Barger, who was deaf, was headed to a meeting of the Madison County Deaf Club when the accident occurred. Kaleigh Romine of Pendleton was summoned to sign for members of the club who arrived on scene.
According to the Madison County Sheriff's Department, Gates was traveling southbound in a 1998 Chevy S-10 truck when his truck crossed over the center line and collided with a northbound 1991 GMC truck, driven by Barger.
The cause of the accident has not yet been determined.
Madison County Coroner Ned Dunnichay named blunt force trauma to the chest as the cause of death for Gates. Toxicology panels are pending on both victims of the crash.
Barger was immediately airlifted to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis by PHI Air Ambulance. At 5:20 p.m., the Madison County Sheriff's Department received a call from the Marion County Coroners Office informing them that the victim had passed away at Methodist Hospital. Barger’s cause of death had not yet been released.
Area agencies responding to the scene of the accident included Ingalls police and fire departments, Fortville Fire Department and Pendleton Rescue and EMS.
“It really is a sad situation and our thoughts and prayers go out to those families who've lost a loved one,” Madison County Sheriff Ron Richardson said.

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