Inmates injured in 4 vehicle crash on US 421

Photo courtesy La Porte County Sheriff\'s Office

LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. -- Several inmates being transported in a Tippecanoe County Sheriff's vehicle were injured in a four vehicle accident on US 421 and CR 870 just before noon on Wednesday, according to the La Porte County Sheriff's Office.

The first vehicle, a 2006 Lexus, was traveling south on US 421 when she slowed because the vehicle in front of her was turning.

After the vehicle turned and the driver accelerated, her vehicle was rear ended by the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's vehicle, a Dodge Ram, with three inmates, reports said.

The sheriff's office's vehicle was then rear ended by a Mack dump truck, which was then rear ended by another Mack dump truck.

The driver of the sheriff's vehicle, all three inmates and one of the dump truck drivers were injured in the crash and were transported to area hospitals.

Braxton J. Haney, the driver of the second dump truck, was taken to the hospital for treatment of upper body pain.

Thomas L. Welcher, the driver of the sheriff's office vehicle, was taken to the hospital for upper body pain.

Zachary R. Robbins, an inmate, was taken to the hospital for upper body pain.

Iram R. Simpson, an inmate, was taken to the hospital for upper body pain.

Donte L. Kidd, an inmate, was taken by a medical helicopter to the hospital for treatment.