PARKERSBURG — A Crawfordsville man died Monday morning following a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 231 South near Spring Road in Parkersburg, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
Emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene at approximately 6:32 a.m. after receiving reports that a pickup truck had collided with a tri-axle dump truck. Initial reports indicated the dump truck was fully engulfed in flames.
According to a press release from Sheriff Ryan Needham, a 2024 Kenworth tri-axle dump truck was traveling north on U.S. 231 when a 2026 GMC Sierra traveling south crossed into the northbound lane for an unknown reason, causing the vehicles to collide. The impact forced both vehicles off the roadway, and the Kenworth caught fire after coming to rest against a power pole.
The driver of the GMC, Kyle A. Blaydes, 52, of Crawfordsville, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Kenworth, Kevin L. Archer, 55, of Crawfordsville, was not injured.
Crash reconstructionists with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate the cause of the crash.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information is asked to contact Detective Kirby at 765-362-3740.
Assisting agencies included the Crawfordsville Police Department, New Market Fire Department, Ladoga Fire Department, Roachdale Fire Department, Crawfordsville Fire Department, Montgomery County Emergency Management and Homeland Security, the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office and Wilson’s Towing.
