Shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday the report of a multi-vehicle injury accident with downed power lines in the roadway sent medical, fire, city and county law enforcement to the 200 block of West First Street. A short time later, the accident resulted in the closure of the city street for nearly three hours.

According to investigating officer Chris Lane of the Rushville Police Department as an eastbound 2009 Volkswagen driven by Kay Kessler, 55, of Glenwood approached the intersection of First Street and Harrison Street, a 2007 Jeep Compass, driven by Patricia Walker, 58, of Rushville entered the intersection from North Harrison Street.

During the early stages of the investigation, it is believed that Walker was southbound on Harrison Street and after coming to a stop failed to see Kessler’s vehicle as she began to turn east onto First Street and into the Volkswagen’s path.

Kessler was unable to avoid the collision and the force of the impact forced both vehicles over a curb on the southeast side of the intersecting roads and into a Duke Energy power pole, severing the pole nearly eight feet above ground level.

A minor passenger in Walker’s vehicle was properly restrained and was uninjured. Following treatment at the scene by medical personnel from RMH Ambulance, Walker was transported to Rush Memorial Hospital for what were believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. The full extent of those injuries remained unknown at press time Thursday. Kessler was uninjured.

The force of the impact rendered both vehicles inoperable.

Duke Energy was contacted and fire personnel from the Rushville Fire Department kept bystanders and others a safe distance from the accident scene until the street could be closed by barricades and the energy pole replaced.

The road remained closed to traffic until shortly after 9 p.m. as crews worked to replace the severed pole and restore power to the area.

Responding to the accident were units from the RPD, Rush County Sheriff’s Department, Rushville Fire Department, RMH Ambulance, Davis Towing and Duke Energy.

Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.