Indiana’s flooded roads continue to make driving hazardous in certain areas where a flood warning remains in effect through Tuesday in numerous counties, including Grant County, where a 19-year-old Ball State University student is dead despite the rescue efforts of deputies and emergency responders Sunday night.
The student, identified as Blake A. Taylor of Kokomo, was not belted into his seat when Grant County deputies tried to rescue him from his 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix, which was inverted in the water near 4200 East S.R. 26 along State Road 26.
The rescue workers waded into the water, broke the car window and tried unsuccessfully to pull the driver out. Deputies then used tow straps attached to their patrol trucks to pull the vehicle from the water, after which they were able to free the driver. Deputies performed CPR at the scene while Emergency Medical Technicians continued CPR on the way to Marion General Hospital, where Taylor was pronounced dead.
Deputies say they believe Taylor was eastbound on SR 26 when he drove through standing flood water in the eastbound lane and then began sliding across the westbound lane into the north ditch, where the car rolled onto its top and became submerged in water. They also believe Taylor was submerged for up to 12 minutes in very cold water that was up to five feet deep.
Meanwhile, the crash remains under investigation, and the Grant County coroner will determine a cause of death.
State Road 26 has reopened to traffic, but several roads in the area remain treacherous with standing water.
Comments