Driver of rare 1965 Ford Mustang GT350 muscle car had been at Bloomington car show before fatal crash

Editor’s note: The article has been updated after the Bloomingtonian learned there were two different crashes involving two different 1960s Mustangs Saturday in the Martinsville area.

MARTINSVILLE, INDIANA – APRIL 15: A 1965 Mustang GT 350 is damaged after a fatal crash on Interstate 69 on April 15, 2023 in Martinsville, Indiana. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)

Terry Thomas, 64, of Martinsville, Indiana, who was driving his 1965 Mustang GT350, had reportedly been at a Bloomington car show, where he won top honors, before crashing fatally on the way home Saturday, according to Facebook posts, and readers who reached out to the Bloomingtonian.

Heather Swain said coincidentally that another similar 1965 cream-color Mustang was involved in a hit-and-run collision on Indiana 39 around 11:45 or 12 p.m., but it was driven by someone other than Thomas. A black late 90s Grand Prix hit the other Mustang and then the driver fled according to Swain. Several readers had confused a post Swain made on social media as being about the same Mustang Thomas was driving, but Swain says that is a weird coincidence, but not true. It is likely Thomas was still at the car show in Bloomington when the other collision occurred.

The Bloomingtonian has reached out to the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office for more information about events leading up to the crash on I-69 just north of Martinsville, Indiana.

MARTINSVILLE, INDIANA – APRIL 15: A 1965 Mustang GT 350 is damaged after a fatal crash on Interstate 69 on April 15, 2023 in Martinsville, Indiana. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)

The car appears to be a rare Mustang built by Shelby Cobra’s company for car enthusiasts in the 1960s. Only 521 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 cars were made in 1965. The late Carrol Shelby is one of the most famous car makers in American history, and his vintage vehicles can sell for millions at auction.

MARTINSVILLE, INDIANA – APRIL 15: A 1965 Mustang GT 350 is damaged after a fatal crash on Interstate 69 on April 15, 2023 in Martinsville, Indiana. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)

Here is the text of a press release sent Saturday by the Indiana State Police to members of the media and the public:

Martinsville – The Morgan County Sheriff’s Department responded to and initiated an investigation into a single-vehicle crash on I-69 on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at the Teeters Road Overpass, north of Martinsville, which resulted in the death of the male driver.

The vehicle crash and following investigation led to the closure of a single northbound lane on I-69 for several hours. Sergeant Eric Dunn, of the Indiana State Police, and additional emergency medical services personnel arrived on scene approximately 3:05 p.m. and attempted live-saving measures which included CPR and application of an AED. Preliminary investigation indicates the 1965 Ford Mustang traveled northbound on I-69 when the vehicle left the roadway and struck the overpass abutment. Both the male driver and a juvenile passenger had been ejected. The male juvenile was transported by ambulance to IU Health Morgan. The Morgan County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene and identified the driver as Terry A. Thomas, 64, of Martinsville.

Responding and assisting agencies included Washington Township Fire Department, the Martinsville Fire Department, Morgan County EMS, Martinsville Police Department, Morgantown Police Department, and the Indiana State Police.

The crash is currently under investigation and any witness(es) with additional information should contact the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department.

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