Staff Report
The Tribune-Star
BRAZIL, IND. —
Clay County residents were evacuated from their homes this morning after a single-vehicle accident caused a major gas leak after striking a home just south of the Pinckley Street and Murphy Road intersection in Brazil.
The male driver of the vehicle was killed in the accident.
One resident living on Pinckley Street said she was awakened by Indiana State Police just before 4 a.m. today and was told to leave her home as a precaution. They told her that someone had crashed a car into a gas line and they were evacuating residents within a mile radius. She also was told that people with no place to go were being sent to Eastside Elementary School.
Indiana State Police Sgt. Joe Watts said eight ISP troopers assisted with the evacuation, headed by the Clay County Sheriff’s Department. Troopers were asked to evacuate residents in a triangular area of U.S. 40, south to 700 North and from Indiana 59 northeast to County Road 50 East, Watts said.
Shelters were set up at the Brazil National Guard Armory, Northview High School and a church. People were allowed to return to their homes by 6 a.m.
