Head-on collision leaves Versailles man critical
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

Bryan Trowbridge, 43, of Versailles, was seriously injured in a two-vehicle accident that occurred last Friday, December 10, about 8:23 a.m., according to information from the Ripley County Sheriff's Department.

The Trowbridge vehicle was traveling northbound on US 421 near the intersection of County Road 300 South near Versailles, when a dump truck went left of center and struck the Trowbridge vehicle head-on.

The dump truck was operated by Adam Vernon Bray, 35, of Cincinnati, OH, who was driving for Pryor Trucking of Independence, KY. He was traveling southbound on US 421 when the rear brakes began skidding on the wet pavement, causing the truck to go left of center, striking the Trowbridge vehicle.

The nasty weather conditions were not in favor of the rescue workers and Trowbridge could not be air lifted for immediate medical help due to the heavy fog. He was trapped in his vehicle, which had been knocked off the roadway and into a ditch. US 421 was closed for a while to protect emergency personnel at the scene.

Members of the Versailles Volunteer Fire Department and Truck 61, worked quickly to free Trowbridge from the wreckage. He was extricated and transported to King's Daughter's Hospital by ambulance and later taken to Louisville's University Hospital, where he is in the critical care unit.

While his condition has been upgraded somewhat, Trowbridge's mother, Dee, noted that he is still very critical and was undergoing a surgery on Monday morning. "All the prayers have made a difference," she noted, saying her family is thankful for the prayers and concern of many in the community after such a tragic accident.

"He was on his way to work here," she noted, saying her son is part owner of Ron Dee Printing on the square in Versailles. "He's always here by 8:00 a.m. and we knew something wasn't right that morning," she recalled.

Mrs. Trowbridge described her son's injuries as critical and said he "has a long way to go," but she is thankful he's alive.

According to Chief Deputy David Pippin of the Ripley County

Sheriff's Department, the accident is under investigation by his department, who is assisted by the Indiana State Police and Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division. Other emergency agencies at the scene included Versailles Town Marshal David Adams, Rescue 69, Ripley County Paramedic Unit, Versailles Fire Department and Truck 61.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO

In a head-on collision, the dump truck, still on the roadway, went left of center to strike a vehicle driven by Bryan Trowbridge, 43, of Versailles, last Friday, December 10, about 8:23 a.m. Trowbridge was taken by Rescue 69 to King's Daughters' Hospital, Madison, where he was then transferred to University Hospital in Louisville. Air Care couldn't fly due to the foggy weather conditions. Trowbridge was still in the critical care unit on Monday, December 13. The accident occurred just south of Versailles, at US 421 and County Road 300. Trowbridge was northbound on US 421 and the dump truck was headed south.