Randolph County, Indiana (March 5, 2026) — A 78-year-old woman died Thursday morning after a crash involving a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck on U.S. Highway 36 near Lynn, according to authorities.
Officials identified the victim as Rosemarie Cowen Hartlage.
The crash occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m. at the intersection of U.S. Highway 36 and Arba Pike, east of the town of Lynn.
Incident Details: According to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department, the crash involved a silver 2016 Buick Enclave and a red 2014 Freightliner semi-tractor-trailer.
Investigators said Hartlage was driving southbound on Arba Pike and stopped at the stop sign at U.S. 36 before entering the intersection. Authorities reported that the Buick then pulled into the path of the eastbound Freightliner, driven by a 32-year-old man from Greenville, Ohio.
The front of the semi-truck struck the passenger side of the Buick Enclave, and both vehicles continued traveling east on U.S. 36 before coming to a stop.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after the crash.
Hartlage sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Randolph County Coroner’s Office. The semi-truck driver suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene, authorities said.
At this time, officials have not indicated that impairment or other criminal factors played a role in the collision. The investigation remains ongoing.
Investigation: Because the collision involved a commercial vehicle, Indiana State Police crash reconstruction specialists were called to assist with the investigation.
Investigators typically review factors such as right-of-way at intersections, vehicle speed, driver reaction times, and roadway conditions when analyzing crashes between passenger vehicles and large commercial trucks. Authorities are expected to examine physical evidence from the scene, vehicle damage patterns, and witness statements to determine the precise sequence of events leading to the crash.
Legal Considerations: Collisions involving passenger vehicles and semi-trucks often raise significant safety and liability concerns due to the size and weight differences between the vehicles. Even at relatively moderate speeds, the force generated in a crash involving a commercial tractor-trailer can cause devastating injuries to occupants of smaller vehicles.
Depending on the investigation’s findings, the Hartlage family might pursue a wrongful death claim to recover funeral and burial expenses, as well as the emotional impact of losing a loved one.
My heartfelt sympathies are with Rosemarie Cowen Hartlage’s family and loved ones during this challenging period.
Source: WDTN News