The driver of the second truck, registered to Fed Ex Freight, was John M. Noerenberg, 49, of West Lafayette. He had no reported injuries, but was taken to Pulaski Memorial Hospital for a mandatory chemical test.

The rear-end accident occurred at 11:30 a.m., on U.S. 421 near the intersection of CR 600 S in Salem Township, according to the police report.

A witness who was following both northbound trucks told police that she observed Noerenberg's box truck had stopped in traffic with a left turn signal blinking. She also noticed the red county highway dump truck following it was not slowing down, and then collided with the rear of the Fed Ex truck.

Noerenberg also told police he was northbound on U.S. 421 and was stopped to turn left onto CR 600 S, with his left turn signal on, when his truck was struck in the rear.

Vititoe was trapped in his truck. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts, according to the police report.

The county coroner was called to the scene of the accident where Vititoe was pronounced dead. The cause and manner of death remain under investigation by the coroner. The coroner notified the next of kin and scheduled an autopsy.

Police report the weather was clear and road pavement dry at the time of the accident.

The accident was investigated by M. Jackson of the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department. The accident reconstruction was completed by the Indiana State Police.

Responding Agencies: Pulaski County EMS, Francesville Volunteer Fire Department, Pulaski County Coroner’s Office, Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police.

An obituary for Mr. Vititoe appears in the obituary section of this website.