NORTH VERNON, Ind.–The North Vernon Police Department responded to a building-versus-vehicle call last Friday night. Authorities with police say that Philip Hartwell, 75, of North Vernon, left a parking space on North Jackson Street, drove his pickup truck south across Walnut Street, and struck the Layman Insurance office building. The collision caused extensive damage to the storefront. The driver then allegedly put his truck in reverse, backed-up across Walnut Street, and struck a car parked on Jackson Street.
Hartwell was transported from the scene to St. Vincent Jennings Hospital for injuries suffered during the crash, which were deemed not life-threatening. The investigation into the accident is ongoing.