DANVILLE, Ind. — A 27-year-old local man died Wednesday night after encountering live power lines downed by severe storms sweeping through Hendricks County. The tragic incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. along Country Road 75 West, leaving first responders helpless until utility crews could secure the scene.
Hendricks County Sheriff’s deputies arrived to find a harrowing scene: a blue Dodge pickup engulfed in flames, multiple live wires strewn across the road, and an unresponsive Nathan Merritt lying near his vehicle. With electrified lines preventing immediate aid, emergency personnel were forced to wait nearly 30 minutes for Duke Energy crews to de-energize the area before attempting resuscitation.
Investigators determined Merritt’s truck had struck the fallen lines while traveling northbound. After his vehicle came to a stop, the Danville resident apparently exited and made fatal contact with the live wires. “This was an impossible situation for our responders,” said Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Capt. Amanda Goings. “Those lines carried enough voltage to power entire neighborhoods.”
The deadly encounter occurred as a line of severe thunderstorms battered central Indiana, knocking out power to thousands and creating hazardous driving conditions. National Weather Service reports indicate wind gusts exceeding 60 mph swept through Hendricks County just before the incident.
Merritt, remembered by neighbors as a skilled carpenter who recently started his own contracting business, leaves behind a young daughter. “He was the kind of guy who’d help anyone with home repairs,” said tearful friend Travis Boyle. “This is just unimaginable.”
The sheriff’s office urges drivers to treat all downed wires as live and remain in vehicles until utility crews arrive. A full investigation into the power line failure and emergency response timeline remains ongoing.
