ALEXANDRIA — An Anderson man was life-lined to an Indianapolis hospital Wednesday evening after rolling his car along Indiana 9 near Alexandria.
According to Madison County Sheriff Ron Richardson, the crash victim was identified as 63-year-old Steve Wiesenaur of Anderson.
A reporter for The Herald Bulletin was traveling northbound on State Road 9 near County Road 600 North behind Wiesenaur and witnessed the accident.
Wiesenaur, driving a purple sedan, was seen swerving back and forth on northbound Indiana 9 when his right front tire blew out and shredded to pieces on the roadway.
Wiesenaur left the roadway briefly and drove along the eastern shoulder but returned to the roadway and drove for another mile on the rim of the wheel, swerving back and forth as vehicles behind him slowed to avoid a crash.
After leaving the road and returning at least once more, Wiesenaur’s purple sedan plunged into a ditch on the east side of State Road 9 North and slammed into a raised driveway that cut through the ditch.
The purple sedan flipped into the air upon hitting the bank of the driveway and flew over the ditch, landing on its side with Wiesenaur trapped inside.
Frankton resident Sallie Brown was traveling northbound on Indiana 9 when she saw the vehicle’s tire explode south of 600 North.
“I saw the tire blew and I saw stuff flying,” she said. “I was on the phone with 911 when I saw him wreck.”
Barnes was one of a half dozen witnesses who pulled over to try and help Wiesenaur after witnessing the crash.
Tim Adams was on his way home to Marion when he saw Wiesenaur’s car swerving in the roadway moments before the crash.
Trying to keep other vehicles from getting near the out-of-control vehicle, Adams pulled alongside another vehicle that was using hazard lights to slow traffic traveling behind Wiesenaur. The two vehicles were able to keep traffic at a safe distance from the motorist.
Richland Township firefighters arrived on scene and realized that Wiesenaur was trapped inside the vehicle and would need to be extricated.
Firefighters cut the roof from the vehicle and found Wiesenaur to be responsive at the scene, according to Richland Township Fire Chief Brian Frank.
Although it was yet undetermined what caused Wiesenaur’s erratic driving, Frank said the motorist seemed to have an “altered state of consciousness.”
After being rescued from the vehicle, Wiesenaur was taken by PHI helicopter to an Indianapolis hospital.
Contact Brandi Watters 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com
Local News
Related Photos
-
John P. Cleary
Discussion
Anderson man injured in rollover on Indiana 9
- Local News
-
-
In a roundabout way
If all goes well, construction for a new roundabout at the intersection of Indiana 38 and County Road 300 West near Pendleton Heights Middle School could begin by the middle of next year.
-
Police: Woman set house fire, blocked exit
Police arrested a woman late Tuesday night in connection with a Saturday home fire.
-
Pendleton woman healing from brain injuries
Andrea Vellinga, the Pendleton woman critically injured during the Indiana State Fair stage collapse, continues to undergo medical treatment and therapy in Michigan.
-
Ban on Sunday motorcycle sales targeted
While advocates for Sunday carry-out alcohol sales have had a hard time making their case to legislators, opponents of another “blue law” may be on an easier road to success.
-
Measles cases pop up after Super Bowl
On Wednesday, the Indiana State Department of Health alerted public health officials in Massachusetts and New York that some of their residents may have come in contact with the rare but highly contagious measles virus when visiting the crowded Super Bowl Village in downtown Indianapolis.
-
Pleasant day for central Indiana
Expect a pleasant day for central Indiana. Mostly sunny skies with hghs around 40 degrees.
-
Poll question for Thursday, Jan. 9, 2012
Vote daily in The Herald Bulletin poll. Today's poll question can be found at the bottom
-
Anderson bank robbery case turned over to FBI
An investigation into the robbery of an Anderson bank Tuesday was officially turned over to the FBI on Wednesday.
-
Volunteers needed for Daffodil Days benefit
The American Cancer Society is looking for individuals, businesses and organizations to help with its upcoming Daffodil Days program.
-
Arrest log: Feb. 9
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Tuesday and Wednesday, based on Madison County Jail records.
- More Local News Headlines
-
