USGenWeb Project- Montgomery County Indiana

Montgomery County, Indiana USGenWeb Project

Robert C. LaFollette

Crawfordsville Journal, Montgomery County, Indiana,

Thorntown man killed in accident

By Maria J. Flora
HTML maria@jrpress.com

SHANNONDALE - Robert C. LaFollette, 77, Thorntown,
died Tuesday after a semi tractor trailer hit the farm tractor
he was driving within a mile of his house.

LaFollette was a two-term Western Boone School Board
member and operated LaFollette Farms, Seeds and
Chemicals. At one time he also operated LaFollette
Trucking. He was married to Martha E. LaFollette.

Boone County Sheriff"s Department Chief Deputy Jeff
Keller said LaFollette, 10787 W. Indiana 32, was struck
while turning into his farm lane about 5 p.m.

The semi and a van followed LaFollette going westbound
for some time before the van passed LaFollette east of
Shannondale, Keller said. The semi then pulled into the
eastbound lane to pass LaFollette on the left.

At that time, LaFollette turned left, into the semi"s path,
Boone County Deputy Sean Kutz said.

A Methodist Hospital LifeLine crew pronounced LaFollette
dead at the scene. He suffered several lacerations and
blunt force trauma to his head, Kutz said.

Semi driver Patrick D. Simpson, 47, Pontiac, Ill., was
uninjured.

Boone County Sheriff"s accident reconstructionists are
investigating, Keller said, adding it is unknown how fast the
semi was traveling.

"It's a shame for sure," Keller said. "Indiana 32 is a main
thoroughfare between I-65 and I-74 and a lot of semis drive
there." Police do not believe alcohol was a factor.

LaFollette"s obituary is on page 2A.

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