A longtime Hendricks County highway department employee was struck by equipment and killed in a Tuesday accident.

About 9:45 am Tuesday Hendricks County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a fatal accident on County Road 450S near County Road 675W.  The Hendricks County highway department was working near that intersection with a large piece of equipment that is commonly used for excavating draining ditches along roadways. 

For an unknown reason, a highway department employee who was acting as a safety flagger stepped behind the piece of equipment while it was slowly backing up in the worksite.  The employee was struck by the equipment and died at the scene.  

The deceased has been identified as David Appleby, 61, of Clayton.   

There is no indication of alcohol or other intoxicants being involved in this incident.  The operator of the equipment (also a Hendricks County highway employee) is cooperating fully with the investigation. 

The Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office, Hendricks County Coroner’s Office and IOSHA are investigating this incident. 

Curt Higginbotham, Superintendent of the Hendricks County Highway Department stated, “Dave was a valued employee that had been with the Highway Department for more than 30 years.  We are sad about the events that took place today.”