Longtime IU sports reporter dies after crash in Fishers
FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) – A longtime reporter of Indiana University sports died Friday after he was in a multivehicle crash in Fishers on Monday.
Terrance “Terry” Hutchens, 60, formerly worked for The Indianapolis Star. He had covered IU athletics more than 20 years, according to university athletics officials.
Scott Underwood, editor of The (Anderson) Herald Bulletin, said Hutchens’ family notified the newspaper that he died at Community Hospital North in Indianapolis.
The Indianapolis Colts said in a news release that Hutchens also covered their team for the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel and the Indianapolis News for seven seasons in the 1980s and 90s.
According to the Fishers Police Department, officers responded to the multivehicle crash on 116th Street near Interstate 69 just after 7 p.m. Monday. The crash involved three vehicles: a black 2006 Toyota 4Runner, a black 2014 Ford Escape and a black 2009 Jeep Wrangler. Evidence and witnesses indicated to police that the Toyota driven by Hutchens was headed west on 116th Street when it struck the Ford, which then caused it to hit the Jeep.
The driver of the other vehicles received minor injuries.
Police said Hutchens may have suffered a medical condition just before the crash, leading to the crash.
The release from the Colts said people who want to make a gift in Hutchens’ memory can do so with donations to the Holy Spirit Geist Athletic Department and the Indiana University Media School.
Hutchens grew up in Southern California and lived there until he was 28.
“For a Californian, he was amazingly immersed in IU sports culture,” said David Woods, a Star sports writer who worked with Hutchens from 1994 to 2013. “He studied it, he learned it, he lived it. He understood it.”
Hutchens wrote nine books on Indiana sports, three children’s books and “Never, Ever Quit,” a Christian inspirational book co-authored with Jane Hoeppner, wife of IU football coach Terry Hoeppner, who died in 2007 of rain cancer.
Known as “Hutch,” he was a five-time recipient of the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Indiana Sports Writer of the Year Award. He most recently was Indiana University beat writer for CNHI Sports Indiana, a conglomeration of 13 newspapers, including The Herald Bulletin, and websites throughout the state. Before CNHI, Hutchens worked for The Indianapolis Star, The Indianapolis News and the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel.
Fred Glass, IU vice president and director of athletics, issued this statement:
“All of us with the IU athletics family are deeply saddened by the passing of Terry Hutchens. He was a great chronicler of IU athletics history for over 20 years, but far more importantly, a devoted father and husband and a treasured friend to so many. I will dearly miss him and our deepest sympathies are with his wife Susan and his sons Bryan and Kevin.”
IU head football coach Tom Allen issued this statement:
“My heart goes out to the Hutchens family. Terry had such class and professionalism, and I was fortunate to get to know him over these past three seasons. We thank him for everything he gave to our program, our fans and our university. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”
IU head basketball coach Arch Miller issued this statement:
“Saddened to hear the news of the passing of Terry Hutchens! Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Susan, mother Dena, sister Kelly and two sons Bryan and Kevin. RIP Terry, you were truely one of the best!”
News 8’s Charlie Clifford issued this statement:
“Please keep the Hutchens family in your thoughts. I’ll never forget the first time I met Terry. He came on for an interview, arrived early & left late. Wanted to make sure I had any question on IU hoops answered. A warm journalist in what can be a cold industry. Rest In Peace.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.