FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2026
On Friday, July 24, 2026, at approximately 6:00 am, Decatur County Dispatch received a
call advising of a two vehicle, head on crash in the 5000 block of US 421 North.
Upon arrival of deputies from the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department, two vehicles
were discovered that had crashed head on, both in the southbound lane. Vehicle number
one appeared to be heading northbound when it crossed the center line, striking vehicle
number two, which was headed southbound. The force of the collision spun vehicle
number 2 around where it came to a rest facing north. Vehicle number 1 came to a rest
facing north, in the southbound lane. The driver of vehicle number one was trapped in
the vehicle and had to be extricated. The driver and passenger of vehicle number 2 were
also trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated.
The driver of vehicle number one, Jason Paul Hall, 41 years of age, from Marion, IN was
pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of vehicle number two, Douglas Gordon Ott, 56 years of age, from
Shelbyville, IN was also pronounced deceased.
The passenger of vehicle number two, James Alexander Ott, 18 years of age, from
Shelbyville, IN was flown by medical helicopter to an Indianapolis hospital with severe
injuries.
US 421 was closed from the time of the crash until approximately 10:00 am, when the
clean up was completed. The investigation is continuing.
Notifications to the families of the deceased were made by the Decatur County Coroner’s
Office
The Decatur County Sheriff’s Department would like to thank the following agencies for
their assistance:
Decatur County Communications Decatur County Coroner’s Office
Lett’s Fire/EMS Decatur County EMS
Greensburg Fire Department Adams Volunteer Fire Department
Lifeline Medical Helicopter Statflight 5 Medical Helicopter
Indiana State Police Platinum Wrecker Service
WTRE News- Kathy Verseman
