At approximately 7:25 p.m. Friday, officers from the Indiana State Police and the Grant County Sheriff’s Department responded to a single vehicle crash on I-69 near the 262-mile marker, in which an Indianapolis man died.
The preliminary crash investigation by Trooper Mario Cruz revealed that Aaron Bates, 59, Indianapolis, was driving a 2001 Ford F-150 pickup truck, northbound on I-69 near the 262 mile marker, in the driving lane. For an undetermined reason, the truck drifted into the passing lane. Bates allegedly over corrected the truck, causing it to spin and leave the east side of the interstate. The Ford then traveled into a ditch and struck an earth embankment, as well as multiple trees.
Bates and his passenger, Henry Tillberry, 35, Indianapolis, were both ejected from the truck. Bates was pronounced dead at the scene. Tillberry was flown from the crash scene, via medical helicopter, with life threatening injuries.
Neither man was wearing a seat belt.
This is an ongoing investigation.