Fatal I-70 explosion blamed on cigarette, oxygen tank

Indiana

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Crews cleaning up from Wabash River flooding in western Indiana came across a 17-pound bone that they believe might have come from an ancient mastodon.Today 10:01 am

Ore. trucker charged in NW Ind. officer attack

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Court documents say a truck driver from Oregon punched a northwestern Indiana police officer more than 10 times before the officer shot his attacker.Today 8:02 am

Mother walking with son is shot dead

PRINCETON, Ind. – A woman has been shot dead while walking with her son in a restaurant parking lot in southwestern Indiana, and authorities say they have a suspect in custody. Princeton Police Chief W.Wednesday

CENTERVILLE, Ind. – Investigators believe a burning cigarette ignited an oxygen tank and caused a car fire that killed an Indianapolis couple on Interstate 70.

Wayne County Sheriff Jeff Cappa told the Richmond Palladium-Item (http://pinews.co/VQoCag) that Ronnie Joe Pratt and Deborah Pratt died Sunday afternoon near the town of Centerville, about 60 miles east of Indianapolis. Both were 62.

Two other adults in the vehicle survived. Tina Brooks was listed in critical condition Monday at a Dayton hospital. Driver Thomas Barham II was treated and released at a Richmond hospital. Their hometowns aren’t available.

A witness following the victims’ car told police the vehicle drifted left into the median and an explosion occurred inside the vehicle.

One of the victims told investigators a passenger was lighting a cigarette when the fire erupted.