Published: September 29, 2009 10:37 pm      

Crash victim airlifted to hospital

Police seeking public assistance in determining when accident occurred

TWELVE MILE — The driver of a car that flipped several times in a cornfield southeast of Twelve Mile remains in critical condition.

According to a news release, 53-year-old Terry W. Wiles of Plymouth suffered what is believed to be a life-threatening head injury when his eastbound 2008 Kia Spectra traveled off the north side of 550N near 1050E Tuesday morning. Police say the car rolled at least three times and came to rest on its wheels after traveling approximately 270 feet into a cornfield.

At 10:35 a.m., officers from the Cass County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana State Police responded to a report of a single-vehicle crash made by Zach Ault, who lives across the street. On arrival, police discovered Wiles’ severely damaged Kia at the end of a long path of flattened corn.

First responders freed Wiles from the vehicle before taking him to a pasture a half mile east of the crash. A Lifeline helicopter battled the strong wind to fly Wiles from the field to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

The crash is still under investigation. Since there were no known witnesses, investigators do not know the exact time it occurred. Wiles was found by Ault, who called 911.

At the scene, Ault said after his father departed home Tuesday morning he called to mention the damaged crops. Ault went to inspect and found the severely-damaged car with Wiles inside moaning.

Skid marks were visible in the eastbound lane of 550N. Police said they were not sure what caused Wiles to swerve across the westbound lane and end up in the cornfield.

Wiles was wearing a seat belt, which prevented him from being ejected and suffering further severe injures, police said.

Master Trooper Ron Whitney is in charge of the investigation. He was assisted at the scene by crash reconstructionists Master Trooper Earl McCullough and Sheriff’s Sgt. Jill Rife, Twelve Mile Fire Department and first responders, Logansport Fire Department and Cass County EMS.

• Kevin Lilly is news editor of the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at (574) 732-5117 or kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com.