Pedestrian Identified – Updated Information
The pedestrian involved in the fatal crash on US 41 near Hess Road has been identified as Kenneth W. McGiffen, 68, of Vincennes, IN.
Knox County – Saturday night, October 31, at approximately 9:18, Indiana State Police responded to a vehicle vs. pedestrian crash on US 41 south of Hess Road involving a Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy.
The investigation revealed the sheriff’s deputy was responding to a crash with unknown injuries in the area of US 41 and Cottonwood Lane. The deputy was south of Vincennes and traveling north on US 41. The sheriff’s deputy had his emergency lights activated. As the deputy approached the area of Hess Road, a male wearing dark clothing walked from the median into the deputy’s lane of travel. The sheriff’s deputy braked but couldn’t avoid striking the pedestrian. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene by the Knox County Coroner. The pedestrian is a 68-year-old male from Vincennes. His identity will be released after his family has been notified.
Further investigation revealed the 68-year-old male had been traveling on US 41 and for unknown reasons drove off the roadway near Cottonwood Lane and struck a tree and fence. The driver left the scene of the crash and was attempting to cross US 41 when he was struck. The original crash was approximately ¼ mile away from the crash involving the male pedestrian and the sheriff’s deputy.
The investigation is continuing.
Investigating Officer: Trooper Nick Hatfield, Indiana State Police
Assisting Officer: Sergeant Kylen Compton, Indiana State Police
Assisting Agencies: Knox County Coroner’s Office and Knox County Sheriff’s Office