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Authorities investigate death of Monticello man

WHITE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) – The White County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a Monticello man that occurred Friday.

According to a release from the sheriff’s office, deputies responded to a call reporting a man lying in a ditch near County Road 700 North and State Road 39 around 6 p.m. The call also regarded a tractor with no driver moving through a field.

The victim, identified as Jerry Zerth, 62, of Monticello, was believed to be mowing grass while operating an International 806 Farmall Tractor when the incident occurred.

A passerby told authorities that he or she saw Zerth get run over by the tractor while Zerth was lying in the ditch. Another passerby stopped the tractor and shut it off.

Zerth was taken to IU Health White Memorial Hospital in Monticello and pronounced dead.

At this time, investigators believe Zerth fell from the tractor for an unknown reason, and the tractor continued to move. The incident is still under investigation.