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Third victim in Delaware County crash passes away

A third person has died from injuries suffered in a crash near County Road 950 North and Wheeling Avenue in Delaware County.

GASTON, Ind. (WTHR) - Investigators think speed, alcohol and drugs were likely part of a fatal head-on crash along Wheeling Pike Tuesday afternoon in Delaware County near County Road 950 North.

That's where they say 18-year-old Joshua Hartley lost control of the car he was driving, crossed the center line and rolled over after colliding with another car going in the opposite direction.

Hartley was killed, along with 28-year-old Matthew Case, who was in the front seat.

In the back were two other 18-year-olds, Jacob Hartley and Lydia Astrop, who were both hospitalized in critical condition. Astrop had to be transported by helicopter to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. The sheriff's department says she died at the hospital Wednesday.


"I could tell it was real bad immediately," said Jeff Koontz, who was on his way home from work when he came upon the crash.

"It almost gives you a sick feeling in your gut when you see that and once I realized...I knew that two of them, I was told had already perished before the help even pretty much got there, it's just...it's just almost like a bad movie playing out right in front of you," said Koontz.

The car Hartley hit only had one person it, the driver, 68-year-old Benjamin Parsons, who was in serious condition when medics took him from the scene.

"I knew he was in bad shape, but I knew he was better off then the four in the other car," said Koontz.

"The one vehicle that had the four people, it was unrecognizable. I mean as far as what type of vehicle it was," said Jack Hall-Gregory who was also on her way home when she drove by and saw the aftermath.

"I just pray for the families and feel horrible for them because it's a sick feeling when you see something like that, especially when you can't do anything," said Hall-Gregory.

The Delaware County Sheriff's Office say the crash is still under investigation.

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