Mom, son hurt in U.S. 31 crash to return home

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One person was killed in an accident on U.S. 31 in Marshall County

One person was killed in an accident on U.S. 31 in Marshall County on Friday, May 9, 2008. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: May 12, 2008 at 2:41 PM EDT

Story Updated: May 12, 2008 at 2:42 PM EDT

LAPAZ – A mother and a son who were injured in an accident on U.S. 31 that killed a man were expected to return home Monday.

Jennifer Houin and her 4-year-old son, of Plymouth, were headed south on U.S. 31 Friday when their SUV was struck by a vehicle driven by Nathan Vaupel, 27, of Chattanooga, Tenn.

An Indiana State Police crash report said that Vaupel’s car appeared to have drifted over the center line, causing the collision.

According to information from Tennessee Temple University, where he had been a student, Vaupel was on his way to a friend’s wedding.

Houin broke her right leg and suffered several minor injuries, a family member said.

Houin’s son was transported Friday to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, where he was examined for head and spine injuries. The boy was expected to be released and allowed to return home Monday.

Thursday, May 15 at 5:05 PM Anonymous wrote ...

nathan was a good man he was always on the go it is a sad thing but the lord said come home it is sad though.

Thursday, May 15 at 12:32 PM Rebekah P. wrote ...

The crash was caused by Nathan falling asleep at the wheel while on his way to a wedding, not by watching a video. Nathan was always on the go and his body was tired. It is wonderful to know that Nathan’s Lord and Savior called him home when he did but it is a tragedy that he was driving when he was called home. Please, if anyone does have any information about the accident to make sure that it is correct for the sake of both families involved. My thoughts and prayers are with both families.

Wednesday, May 14 at 10:20 AM anonymous wrote ...

Perhaps watching a movie is not what you should be doing while driving if you don't want to hurt someone or yourself. I feel for his family, but dumb decisions are what led to this tragedy - dumb decisions that could have been easily prevented by taking proper safety precautions while driving.

Tuesday, May 13 at 10:49 PM anonymous wrote ...

Both mother and child are home now. They have a long road of recovery ahead of them. They are a strong people and will recover from this.

Tuesday, May 13 at 10:23 PM Anonymous wrote ...

this is sad for all parties involved. Poor guy was just tired, probably. who driving for any amount of time casn saw they never became tired while driving. prayin for his family. hope he did not suffer. glad the mom and son are going home

Tuesday, May 13 at 9:59 PM jamie young wrote ...

how tragic to lose your life so young.glad mom and child are ok.sympathy to nates family

Tuesday, May 13 at 8:06 PM ashley b wrote ...

Nathan was such a great guy and would have been devastated to know that he hurt a mother and child.

Tuesday, May 13 at 8:36 AM Anonymous wrote ...

has there been any comfirmation that both are home yet???

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