Volunteer Firefighter Killed at Crash Scene

Daviess County:  A volunteer firefighter was killed at the scene of a crash Friday night after being run over by another responding firefighter.

At 9:55 PM Friday night, a crash with injury was reported along Old Highway 50 (County Road 100 South), just west of County Road 800 East.  Deputies from the Daviess County Sheriff’s Department and three firefighters from the Montgomery and Cannelburg Fire Departments had arrived at the scene.  The three firefighters had arrived in their personal vehicles. 

A fourth responding firefighter, 26-year-old Colby Blake of Cannelburg, was traveling east in his 2006 Dodge Ram truck.  While approaching the scene, Blake struck the rear of another Dodge Ram truck parked by a firefighter along the south side of the road.  Blake’s Dodge continued east, striking a 2013 Ford Fusion parked by 27-year-old Kendall Murphy of Montgomery.  Murphy, a firefighter who had responded to the scene, was standing outside of his Ford, and was struck by Blake’s Dodge as it continued east.

Blake crashed into a third firefighter’s vehicle after striking Murphy, a 2007 Ford F350 truck, before coming to a stop.

Murphy suffered numerous injuries after being struck.  He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Daviess County Coroner.

Blake was uninjured in the crash; however, after further investigation, was found to be operating while intoxicated with a blood alcohol level of 0.21%.

Blake has been preliminarily charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Death and Reckless Driving.  He is being held in the Daviess County Security Center, with formal charges to be filed by the Daviess County Prosecutor’s Office.

This crash remains under investigation by Indiana State Police crash reconstructionists.

Investigating Officers:  Trooper Josh Greer, Master Trooper Randy Huddleston, Trooper Ross Johnson, and Trooper Nathanial Kern

Arrested and Charges:
Colby Blake, 26
Cannelburg, IN
- Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated Causing Death, Level 4 Felony
- Reckless Driving, Class A Misdemeanor

-30-     HENSLEY

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Scene of Crash