Truck hits barn

Area farmer Ray Sudhoff received an unexpected pre-Thanksgiving surprise.

"I heard this loud noise like a bunch of empty hopper wagons rumbling down the road," he said. "I never expected to discover a big rig had driven through my machine shed."

Earl R. Isley, 40, of Logansport, Ind., was driving a 1999 International semitrailer southbound when he reportedly suffered a coughing attack and then swerved to avoid a deer in the roadway. The mishap occurred at 9:15 p.m. Wednesday in the 4600 block of state Route 49, according to Mercer County Sheriff's Office reports.

The rig traveled off the east side of the pavement and plowed through a corn stubble field before crashing into the north end of a 60-by-75-foot metal machine shed. It tore down a corner post before exiting through the south side of the building.

"I was storing a boat and trailer for a friend and that's gone," Sudhoff said. "We're still digging out stuff and checking for damage. It looks like an explosion or something went off inside the shed."

Equipment, including a fertilizer applicator and snowblower, sustained damage as did an air compressor, drill press and smaller tools.

Isley was not injured in the accident but was injured during a fall after the accident. Reports indicate the driver was not treated at the scene.

"The truck would have hit the barn before it got to the house," Sudhoff said. "There was other stuff to hit before the house."

Sudhoff hopes the building can be restored with time, effort and new material.

"Both ends are destroyed but the middle framework appears to be alright," he said. "It's going to take a lot of new siding and roofing material. I'm just thankful no one was hurt."

Deputies cited Isley for failure to control.