From Sheriff Derek Morgan:
On 10/12/23 at 1839 hrs. the Wabash County Sheriff's Office and Mt. Carmel Police Department responded to a vehicle collision with injuries. The location of the incident was on Highway 1, south, between Wabash10 Ave. and Empire St.
During the course of the traffic crash investigation, it was found that two males were riding bicycles north bound on Highway 1, one reportedly on the grass shoulder with the other behind it. The pair had just retrieved personal property from under the overpass. At the same time a 2014 Jeep Patriot was being driven north bound on Highway 1 by Zachary S. Neikirk (32) of Mt. Carmel. Neikirk advised he was traveling north bound at a speed on 60 mph when he thought it sounded like he had struck something. Neikirk pulled over and saw a bicycle on the side of the road and called 911.
The deputy found 30-year-old Billy J. Dill of Mt. Carmel tending to his brother, Ace M. Hufford (18) of Loveland, Ohio. Mt. Carmel Fire Department and the Wabash General Ambulance Service were on scene as well. Air Evac 11 responded to the scene and flew Hufford to an Evansville area trauma center with major injuries.
The roadway was impacted for over an hour while emergency crews worked the crash. During the course of the traffic crash investigation a juvenile motorist drove around multiple emergency vehicles and disobeyed police officers' orders to stop. The motorist almost struck a Mt. Carmel Police Officer and once stopped was cited for several traffic violation including Scott's Law, by MCPD.
Scott's Law mandates that when approaching any police or other emergency vehicle stopped along the roadway, you must: Change lanes if possible. Always reduce speed, but reduce greatly if unable to change lanes. Proceed with increased caution.