William Bunnell Obituary, Death: Man killed in Hancock County crash involving dump truck and van.

William Bunnell Obituary, Death  – A tragic collision between a dump truck and a van claimed the life of one man Monday morning in Hancock County, Indiana. The incident took place just before 11 a.m., when emergency crews responded to the crash at the intersection of County Road 50 West and State Road 234.

According to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, the crash occurred at approximately 10:47 a.m. A Freightliner dump truck was heading north on County Road 50 West and entered the intersection with State Road 234, where it was required to stop due to a posted stop sign. However, the truck proceeded into the intersection at the same time a westbound Chevrolet van was traveling along State Road 234, which does not have a stop sign. The two vehicles collided at the crossing.

The van struck the dump truck and sustained significant damage, trapping the driver inside. Authorities said the driver of the van was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene and worked to free the driver from the wreckage. Despite their efforts, the driver—identified as 58-year-old William Bunnell from Lapel, Indiana—was pronounced dead at the scene.

Bunnell’s death was confirmed by deputies and emergency medical personnel who responded. The force of the impact left the van crushed, and officials believe the absence of a seatbelt may have contributed to the fatal outcome.

The driver of the dump truck was not injured in the crash and remained on the scene to speak with law enforcement. The sheriff’s department reported that the truck driver cooperated fully with the investigation. Officials stated that there is no indication that drugs or alcohol played a role in the incident.

Investigators are continuing to review the details of the crash to determine the precise cause and whether any citations or charges may result. For now, no criminal charges have been filed, and the investigation remains ongoing.

County Road 50 West and State Road 234 were temporarily closed in the immediate aftermath of the accident to allow for investigation and cleanup efforts. Traffic was rerouted as authorities examined the scene and towed the damaged vehicles.

Officials used the tragic incident to remind drivers of the importance of wearing seatbelts and observing all traffic signals and stop signs, especially at rural intersections where visibility can be limited.

The sheriff’s office extended condolences to the victim’s family, acknowledging the heartbreaking loss for his loved ones and the community. “This is a difficult time for the family of Mr. Bunnell,” a sheriff’s department representative said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they grieve this sudden and tragic loss.”

William Bunnell was a resident of Lapel, a small town located northeast of Indianapolis. While further personal details were not immediately released, local authorities emphasized the importance of seatbelt use, noting that fatalities in traffic crashes are often preventable with proper safety measures.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department is leading the investigation, and officials say they will continue gathering evidence, including any available surveillance footage from nearby areas, statements from witnesses, and forensic analysis of the vehicles involved.

Crash reconstruction specialists may be brought in to assist in determining the exact sequence of events and whether road conditions or other contributing factors played a role.

Though accidents of this nature are not uncommon on rural roads and state highways, law enforcement agencies continue to work to improve road safety through enforcement, education, and engineering.

The sheriff’s office said the community can help by remaining vigilant behind the wheel, obeying all traffic control devices, and taking basic precautions such as buckling up and avoiding distractions.

As the investigation continues, no further details have been released. Updates will be provided by the sheriff’s department as new information becomes available.