INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – 29-year-old Mark Smith is hospitalized with a broken pelvis and other serious injuries after his family says he was involved in a car crash on the city’s south side Saturday night.
“As a mom I wish that everyone would slow down, take their time, and stay off their phones. People should realize that life is really too short and can be taken away within a few seconds,” says Mark’s mom Sherri Smith.
Police say a Black Lexus was traveling North on Shelby Street when it collided with a Red Dodge caravan that was heading West on Lawrence Avenue. The driver of the Dodge died at the scene. Family members say Smith and his friend Dustin Vires, who was driving the Lexus were rushed to the hospital.
“It looked like the cars both collided at the same time. Mark went through the windshield, because he still has glass in his head right now,” says Smith.
Police are still investigating the crash. Officers took a routine blood draw from Vires. Those results are not back yet. Family members say Smith and Vires were not under the influence.
“Neither one of them had anything in their system. No drugs were involved, or alcohol,” says Smith.
Smith’s family and other drivers we talked with say the intersection of Shelby and Lawrence is unsafe and could have played a factor in the fatal crash. Citing no lighting, tight lanes, and lots of people driving over the speed limit as the main reasons.
“It is very dangerous at all times, especially during rush hour,” says Mark’s uncle Michael Sanders.
Mark Smith’s family is praying that the 29-year-old and his friend recover. But, also have the man who lost his life in their prayers.
“Our hearts go out to the person that lost his life. We are thinking about him. It is very sad and tragic at this time,” says Sanders.
The man who died at the scene has been identified as 49-year-old Christoper Ramsey.
