On September 26, 2026, at 4:10 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch was notified of a fatal accident on Interstate 64 at the 29-mile marker. Multiple law enforcement officers as well as the Haubstadt Fire Department, and Gibson County Ambulance Service were dispatched to the scene. Upon arriving, first responders began extracting injured persons from the accident scene and preparing them for transport via Gibson County Ambulances and medical helicopters. Once all patients were transported from the scene the Gibson County Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) conducted a thorough investigation into the incident.
Witness statements indicate that a White 2007 Jeep Liberty was Westbound on Interstate 64 and crossed the grass median striking a Black 2005 GMC pickup that was traveling Eastbound head on.
8-year-old Isabelle Preske of Cynthiana died on scene before emergency service personnel arrived on scene. Miss Preske was a passenger in the Jeep Liberty driven by her mother Samantha Payne, also of Cynthiana. Ms. Payne was transported to an Evansville area for treatment of the injuries that she suffered in the accident. Two adult males from West Virginia were also transported to an Evansville area hospital for treatment.
The Gibson County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate this accident and upon completion will submit their paperwork to the Gibson County Prosecutor for his review.
The Gibson County MAIT is a joint team comprised of officers with the Princeton Police Department and Gibson County Sheriff’s Office who respond to and investigate accidents that require accident reconstruction and documentation.