BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana law enforcement community is mourning today as a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputy lost his life in a car crash Monday while he was on duty and heading to another accident.
Deputy James Driver, 38, of Spencer, was in his squad car and responding to the accident with injuries just after 4 p.m. He reportedly had his lights and siren activated. While Deputy Driver was traveling south on State Road 45 near West Eller Road, a GMC truck and trailer, driven by Christopher A. Derr, 22, of Monticello, Illinois, was northbound. Derr attempted to stop but for an unkown reason lost control and crossed into the southbound lanes where the trailer collided with the officer’s vehicle.
After the impact, the deputy’s car rolled off the roadway before coming to a stop. Deputy Driver was ejected from the vehicle and was said to be unconscious and unresponsive. Emergency personnel transported him to IU Health Bloomington Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The crash is under investigation by the Indiana State Police.
