DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
MONROE – A tragic crash in Monroe claimed the lives of a mother and her teenage son Tuesday morning after their car collided with a semi-truck at a busy intersection.
The crash happened shortly after 8:30 a.m. at the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and State Road 124, where authorities say a black 2024 Hyundai Sonata heading south on U.S. 27 struck a semi-trailer crossing the highway.
The car was driven by 16-year-old Dallas M. Raugh, who was traveling with his mother, 41-year-old Thera J. Raugh. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, initial findings indicate that the Hyundai may have run a red light while entering the intersection, heading south toward Berne. The semi, a 2003 white Freightliner driven by 42-year-old Jeremy M. Klenke, had a green light and was traveling east on State Road 124 toward the town of Monroe when the car struck the trailer and became lodged underneath it.
Klenke was not injured but was transported from the scene as part of standard procedure for a blood draw. Investigators do not believe drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.
Deputies say poor visibility due to fog, excessive speed for weather conditions, and failure to obey the traffic signal are being considered as contributing factors.
Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the Adams County Coroner’s Office, Adams County EMS, Monroe Fire Department, Decatur Police Department, Indiana State Police Motor Carrier Division, INDOT, and Piqua Repair.
The investigation is ongoing. Officials are urging drivers to use extra caution during foggy weather and to obey all traffic signals.
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