NEW MARKET — An afternoon crash in southern Montgomery County on Sunday left one dead and one in critical condition.
Police reports indicate Eladio Gonzalez Lopez, 46, of Indianapolis was traveling westbound on State Road 234 shortly before 2 p.m. As he attempted to cross U.S. 231, Lopez allegedly failed to yield the right of way to southbound driver Branden Monnett, 36, of Roachdale and his passenger, his mother, Lisa Gerlach, 57, of Clayton.
Gerlach was transported via ambulance to Franciscan Health Crawfordsville, then transferred by medical helicopter to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis where she later died as a result of her injuries. Monnett was airlifted by medical helicopter from the campus of Southmont High School to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.
Monnett was still listed in critical condition Friday, authorities said.
Lopez, who has been charged with operating a motor vehicle without receiving a license and operating a motor vehicle without proof of financial responsibility, was uninjured in the crash.
The investigation is ongoing and a report has been sent to the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office for further review.
Assisting deputies at the scene were members of the New Market Volunteer Fire Department, S.T.A.R. Ambulance Service, StatFlight and Wilson’s Towing.
