Tragic Crash on Causeway Road Claims Life of Everton Man, Injures Another in Franklin County
FRANKLIN COUNTY, IN — A heartbreaking accident on the night of Friday, August 1, 2025, has left a small Indiana community mourning the sudden and devastating loss of one of its own. The fatal crash occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Causeway Road in north central Franklin County and involved two vehicles: a passenger car driven by William Pearson, 52, of Everton, Indiana, and a 2015 Mack semi-truck operated by 26-year-old Joseph McDonald of Connersville.
According to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, emergency crews were dispatched to the scene after multiple calls reported a serious collision near the rural stretch of Causeway Road, a notoriously narrow and winding roadway often used by both local commuters and transport trucks. Upon arrival, first responders discovered Pearson’s vehicle with heavy front-end damage and severe intrusion to the driver’s compartment. Tragically, William Pearson was pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary investigation suggests that Pearson’s vehicle was traveling westbound on Causeway Road when, for reasons still under investigation, it crossed into the oncoming lane and collided head-on with the eastbound semi-truck. Authorities have not ruled out mechanical failure, medical emergency, or other contributing factors, and both vehicles have been taken in for forensic examination.
Joseph McDonald, the driver of the semi-truck, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. He is cooperating fully with law enforcement, and no charges have been filed at this time. Toxicology reports are pending for both drivers, as is standard procedure in fatal collision investigations.
William Pearson was a long-time resident of Everton, Indiana, and was known throughout the community for his kindness, dependability, and strong work ethic. A skilled tradesman and devoted father of two, Pearson had worked for more than two decades in the manufacturing industry and was deeply involved in his church and local civic activities.
“He was a man of integrity, a quiet hero in his own way,” said longtime friend and neighbor Linda Callahan. “He showed up when you needed him, without being asked. This loss leaves a hole in the heart of Everton that can’t be filled.”
Family and friends gathered at the Pearson home over the weekend, grieving together as they remembered William not just for how he died, but for how he lived—with humility, strength, and love. His children, both young adults now, released a joint statement saying, “Our dad was our rock, our teacher, and our best friend. He left this world too soon, but we will carry his lessons, his love, and his laughter with us for the rest of our lives.”
The Franklin County Coroner’s Office has taken over responsibility for confirming the cause of death, while the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department continues to work closely with crash reconstruction experts and the Indiana State Police to piece together the events of that tragic night.
Community leaders have expressed their condolences and have called for improvements to road safety in the area, especially along Causeway Road, which has been the site of several accidents in recent years. Local residents are renewing their push for enhanced signage, shoulder widening, and increased lighting on the roadway.
A candlelight vigil in memory of William Pearson is scheduled for Wednesday evening at Everton Park, where members of the community will gather to honor his life and offer support to the grieving family.
Funeral arrangements are being coordinated by the Everton Chapel Funeral Home and are expected to be announced in the coming days. In lieu of flowers, the Pearson family has asked that donations be made in William’s name to the Franklin County Volunteer Fire Department, whose responders arrived swiftly and compassionately that fateful night.
As Franklin County grapples with yet another tragic loss on its roads, the memory of William Pearson endures—not just in the headlines, but in the countless lives he touched through quiet acts of love and selflessness.