North Vernon woman killed in Jennings County crash

A North Vernon woman has died after car crash in Jennings County this week.

According to the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were called on a single vehicle crash on County Road 1000W near 500N at about 11:19 a.m. Wednesday morning. Deputies found that an SUV headed northbound had gone off the road and struck a tree, before ending up partially in the roadway.

The driver, 65-year-old Karen Hodges was conscious but unresponsive and deputies worked to stabilize her before medics arrived on the scene. Jackson County medics stabilized her and continued providing aid in the ambulance. A Lifeline medical helicopter was called to the scene and she was flown to a trauma center in Indianapolis.

She was pronounced dead at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.

Deputies say that they don’t know yet why she left the road. She was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

The crash investigation is ongoing and Jennings County authorities are working with the Marion County Coroner’s Office.

Also assisting at the scene were Geneva Township Volunteer Fire Department and Pearson’s Wrecker Service.