A semi-driver from Jackson County is being blamed for a two-vehicle crash in Monroe County on Monday that hospitalized two people.

Curt Durnil, spokesman for the Indiana State Police, says that shortly after 2:30 p.m. on Monday, a semi tractor-trailer started across State Road 37 from Winery Road, heading west to Simpson Chapel Road. Investigators say the semi driver then performed an illegal U-Turn and proceeded east across State Road 37. Authorities say this maneuver occurred in the path and right of way of a southbound passenger car.

Durnil says the driver of the car tried to avoid the crash, but was unable to do so. Once the car crashed into the semi’s trailer, investigators say the semi continued to travel eastbound, causing the passenger car to roll over and become trapped underneath the trailer.

The driver of the car, 41-year-old Jeremy Johnson, of Bedford, suffered head and back injuries and was taken to IU Health Bloomington. His passenger, 37-year-old Elizabeth Johnson, of Bedford, suffered head injuries and was also transported to IU Health Bloomington. The driver of the semi, 61-year-old Roy Cummings, of Medora, was not hurt.

Indiana State Police say that seat belts were in use during this crash and were effective in reducing the severity of the injuries. This crash remains under investigation.