THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE STORY BY JENNIFER BAILEY
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Danville School District 118 is mourning the death of a beloved Mark Denman Elementary School physical education teacher affectionately known as Mr. M.
Mihai Murineanu, 46, of Crawfordsville, Ind., was one of two people who died in a two-vehicle crash Monday. Also deceased is Nathanial Blake Phipps, 28, of Covington, Ind., the driver of the vehicle which reportedly crossed over into the path of Murineanu.
According to the Tippecanoe County (Ind.) Coroner’s Office, the head-on motor vehicle crash occurred at approximately 4:55 p.m. Monday at 8000 West and 800 South roads, Lafayette, Ind.
Both died from blunt force injuries received in the accident.
According to the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office, it received a 911 call reporting a crash in the 8000-block West of 800 South, near West Point, Ind., southwest of Lafayette, Ind. Emergency personnel arrived on scene and found a two-vehicle, head-on collision involving a maroon 2000 Chevrolet Blazer and light blue 2006 Toyota Prius. The drivers from each vehicle, who were the sole occupants, were determined to have received fatal injuries.
The Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office crash reconstruction team was called to the scene for further investigation. Preliminary investigation indicated the Chevy Blazer driven by Phipps was traveling west on 800 South and crossed left of center, striking the eastbound Toyota Prius driven by Murineanu. The Chevy Blazer overturned and came to rest in the roadway. The Toyota Prius was forced off the roadway and came to rest in a cornfield.
The West Point Fire Department responded to the crash, along with the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office and Tippecanoe County Coroner’s Office. The roadway was closed for approximately four hours.
This is an ongoing investigation with the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police Lab and the Tippecanoe County Coroner’s Office.
“Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the families, and we hope they are respected during such a difficult time,” Tippecanoe County Coroner Carrie Costello said.
Murineanu, from Romania, was a 2015 News-Gazette Teacher of the Week when he worked at the now closed Cannon Elementary School. He’s taught with D118 for about 18 years.
Then principal, Kim Pabst, said of Murineanu, “He not only teaches students about the importance of physical exercise, but he also teaches them about the power and strength in believing in oneself.”
In 2015, Murineanu said his favorite pastime was his interactions with his students. It was his favorite part of his job.
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