A routine Tuesday afternoon in Johnson County turned into a heartbreaking tragedy when Cary Dean Carlile, 59, of Morgantown, was killed in a violent head-on crash involving two pickup trucks towing trailers.
According to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened around 1:55 p.m. at the intersection of West State Road 135 and County Road 500 West, an area known locally as Spearsville Road. Deputies responded quickly after receiving emergency calls reporting a serious collision.
When authorities arrived, they discovered a devastating scene — a head-on crash between two heavy-duty Ford pickup trucks, both reportedly pulling trailers at the time of impact.
Investigators said a white Ford F-250 traveling northbound on State Road 135 crossed the center line. Early findings suggest the driver may have been braking just before drifting over, as tire marks on the roadway appear to support that theory.
The F-250 slammed directly into a white Ford F-550 traveling in the opposite direction, with the impact powerful enough to leave both vehicles severely damaged and scattered across the roadway.
Cary Dean Carlile was pronounced dead at the scene by the Johnson County Coroner’s Office. Officials later confirmed his identity and stated that an autopsy has been scheduled as part of the continuing investigation.
Three other individuals were injured in the crash and were transported to hospitals in the Indianapolis area for treatment. One of the victims had to be cut free from the wreckage after becoming pinned beneath the steering column. That person was later flown by Lifeline helicopter due to the seriousness of their injuries.
The crash forced the closure of State Road 135 at Spearsville Road for several hours as investigators documented the scene, cleared debris, and worked to reconstruct the events leading up to the collision.
Authorities continue to review possible contributing factors, including speed, driver actions, and roadway conditions, as they work to determine exactly what caused the deadly crash.
The sudden loss of Cary Dean Carlile has left his loved ones and the Morgantown community mourning a life taken far too soon, as investigators continue searching for answers in the aftermath of a devastating afternoon tragedy.
