Authorities have identified the two victims killed in a devastating three-vehicle collision Monday afternoon near New Market. According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, 26-year-old Masey Ward of Brazil and her front-seat passenger, 38-year-old Rogelio Diaz Gomez of Greencastle, died at the scene after their 2021 Kia K5 was struck with force along U.S. 231 at County Road 600S. The crash has left the community grieving and searching for answers as investigators work to determine the full sequence of events.
The collision happened around 3:14 p.m., when 39-year-old Richard L. Neal of New Market was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado eastbound on County Road 600S. Investigators say Neal entered the westbound lane, passed several stopped vehicles, and continued through the intersection into the travel lanes of U.S. 231. His pickup struck Ward’s Kia K5, pushing it into the northbound lane, where it collided with a 2024 Buick Enclave carrying six people. The violent chain reaction left multiple vehicles crushed and debris scattered across the roadway.
Ward and Diaz Gomez suffered fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene. A 41-year-old man riding in the back seat of the Kia was extricated from the wreckage by emergency crews. He was flown by LifeLine helicopter to an Indianapolis-area hospital with serious injuries, though his current condition has not been released. Authorities say he was the only survivor in Ward’s vehicle and required extensive rescue efforts.
The occupants of the Buick Enclave—driven by 73-year-old Sandra Hutson of Crawfordsville—were also seriously hurt. Hutson and several passengers sustained significant but non-life-threatening injuries and were taken by ambulance to Franciscan Health Crawfordsville for treatment. Despite the severity of the crash, all six occupants of the Enclave are expected to survive, officials said.
Neal, the driver accused of causing the crash, was hospitalized for his injuries but later booked into the Montgomery County Jail once he was medically cleared. He faces charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death and operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury. Additional charges are expected as the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office continues reviewing the case. Neal remains jailed without bond.
Sheriff Ryan Needham condemned the incident, calling it “a senseless, completely avoidable, criminal act,” and extended condolences to all families affected. The crash remains under active investigation, with assistance from multiple agencies including the Indiana State Police, Crawfordsville Police Department, local fire departments, and the county coroner. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact investigators as they work to piece together the final details of the tragedy.
