Happened early Tuesday evening

(VERSAILLES, Ind.) – A local woman lost her life after a multi-vehicle accident on U.S. 421 in Ripley County on Tuesday evening. 

The accident happened around 5:20 p.m. in the area of Rexville near Country Creations Bakery & Deli. 

Investigators with the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office say a white Toyota Highlander was traveling south on U.S. 421 when the driver lost control and struck the passenger side of a minivan. 

34-year-old Ashley Hunger, of Versailles, was a passenger in the Toyota Highlander. She was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

The Toyota was driven by 30-year-old Zachery Richardson and there were also three kids in the vehicle. All four of them were rushed to the hospital with undisclosed injuries. 

The driver of the minivan was 30-year-old Carol Austin who was also transported to the hospital for unknown injuries.

Investigators say drugs or alcohol are not believed to be factors in the crash. 

Around the time of the accident, there were reports of black ice in the area where the accident occurred. 

Ripley County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by Versailles Police Department, Osgood Police Department, Indiana Conservation, Indiana State Police, Versailles Fire Department, New Marion Fire Department, Ripley County EMS Versailles/ Milan, and Sunman Rescue 20.