Deceased Semi Driver Identified

Vigo County—Friday evening September 14th, Indiana State Police and Vigo County emergency agencies responded to a fatal crash in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 at the Darwin Road overpass (near the three mile marker). The crash involved one tractor-trailer striking the rear of another as traffic was slowing for a nearby construction project. The impact caused the rear semi to erupt in flames and claim the life of the driver. 

Vigo County Coroner Dr. Susan Amos and the Indiana State Police have identified the driver as 26-year-old Gurvinder Singh of Ontario, Canada. Identification was confirmed through the office of Pathologist Dr. Roland Kohr.  

Singh was driving for Sun Transportation Systems of Ontario, Canada and was hauling dry freight. 

No other information to release.

EARLIER RELEASE:

Vigo County—Friday evening, September 14, at approximately 6:51, Indiana State Police and Vigo County emergency agencies responded to a fiery crash in eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 at the Darwin Road overpass (near three mile marker) involving two tractor-trailer units.  

Preliminary investigation revealed a 2007 Volvo tractor, pulling a box trailer with general freight, and driven by 67-year-old Oscar Martinez of Cypress, Texas, was slowing down as he perceived slower traffic ahead of him. Suddenly Martinez’s commercial vehicle was struck in the rear by a 2017 Freightliner tractor pulling a box trailer loaded with general freight. The violent impact caused the Freightliner tractor to erupt in flames ultimately resulting in the death of the driver. 

The deceased driver was not identifiable following the crash and the Vigo County Coroner’s Office will attempt to identify the male driver using DNA and/or dental records. This process could take a few weeks. Trooper believe they know the identity of the man and have been in contact with the victim’s company. The deceased and the company are believed to be from Ontario, Canada. 

Martinez sustained only minor complaints of pain and was taken to Terre Haute Regional Hospital. 

The heavy traffic was believed to be slowing for a general construction project near the seven mile marker and troopers were stationed in the paved crossover just east of the three mile marker (Darwin Road) to warn motorists of approaching speed reduction. 

Eastbound traffic was rerouted onto the Darwin Road exit, across Darwin Road, and back onto eastbound 70. All lanes were open at approximately 3:45a.m. Saturday morning. 

The crash was investigated by ISP Senior Trooper David Petrowski with assistance from ISP Crash Reconstructionists Senior Troopers Tim Rader and Ted Robertson, along with ISP Sergeant Chris Wright, Troopers Brad Fyfe and Courtland Woodruff, Vigo County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Mike Anderson, West Terre Haute Police, Sugar Creek Fire/Rescue, Honey Creek Fire/Rescue, Otter Creek Fire/Rescue, Trans Care EMS, Vigo County Coroner’s Office, and Edington’s Wrecker Service. 

911 call leads to arrest of Elberfeld man on DUI and weapon charges

On September 16, 2018, at 4:34 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a disturbance in the area of County Road 200 South and County Road 1150 East. Upon arriving in the area Deputy Ben Kiesel began an investigation into the call with the assistance of Oakland City Officer Don Carlisle. During the investigation Deputy Kiesel detected the odor of alcohol on 30 year old Timothy Schulz of Elberfeld and determined that Mr. Schulz had allegedly pulled a gun out during the incident. At the conclusion of Deputy Kiesel’s investigation Mr. Schulz was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Jail Mr. Schulz was charged with Point a Firearm, Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon, and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated-Prior. He has since posted a $750 bond. 

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Owensville man arrested on DUI charge after being involved in an accident

On September 17, 2018, at 3:03 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 call to report an accident with injuries at the intersection of County Road 850 South and County Road 1050 West. When officers arrived on scene they found 34 year old Larry Flener of Owensville lying on the roadway next to a 2017 moped. Upon speaking with Mr. Flener officers detected the odor of alcohol and Sgt. John Fischer began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation Sgt. Fischer placed Mr. Flener into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Jail Mr. Flener was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated. He remains in custody on a $650 bond. 

Assisting Sgt. Fischer in his investigation was Owensville Town Marshal Rodger Leister.

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Driver Injured As Semi Overturns & Spills Load Of Turkey Manure On Highway 11

On September 17th at 3:31pm, the Wabash County Sheriff's Office responded to the area of Highway 11 at the Lancaster Stockyards reference a one vehicle crash.  When the deputy arrived on scene he found a west bound semi had overturned while negotiating the curve. During Deputy Art Kimmel's investigation he found that the semi belonging to Steber Turkey Farm of Claremont, IL left the roadway to the right over corrected , traveled across the roadway and over corrected once again, causing the semi and trailer to overturn, spilling its’ load of turkey manure.  Christopher G. Provines, 27 of Claremont sustained minor injuries in the crash and transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes. The roadway was closed for approximately 3 hours as crews worked to clear the wreckage.  The Sheriff's Office was assisted by WGAS, West Salem Fire Department, Allendale Fire Department, and the Wabash County Highway Department. 

Mt. Carmel Elementary School News

News From MCES Principal Sheila Odom:

Tasty Apples!

Students in Mrs. Gordon's Kindergarten class are studying apples. Recently they taste tested apples and then created a graph based on their favorite type of apple. Granny Smith was the favored type. Thus far they have learned about the Apple Tree's life cycle, tree grafting, products made from apples, and stories about apple trees all in preparation for their field trip to the apple orchard at the end of the month.

Students at MCES celebrated Constitution Day on September 17th.  The students in Mrs. Jones/Ms. Bruce classes listened to Susan Woods from the DAR read the book “We the Kids”, learned a song called “We the People” and rang small bells together as a group - signifying the Constitutional Rights we have as United States Citizens.  

Mrs. Kemper's Kindergarten class wrote and signed their classroom constitution. 

Mrs. Kemper's Kindergarten class wrote and signed their classroom constitution. 

Mrs. Satava's class at MCES learned about the flag and they each will get to paint a flag of their own for Constitution Week. 

Indiana Woman Arrested After Driving To MCPD On Suspended License

09/16/2018-Mt. Carmel Police arrested 50 year old Melissa R. Madden of Kokomo, Indiana after she drove  to the Mt. Carmel Police Department on a suspended driver's license.  It is alleged that Madden drove to and from the Mt. Carmel Police on a suspended driver's license.  Police were not notified of the suspended license until Madden left the police department.   Police caught up with Madden in the 900 block of Cherry and observed her driving a 1998 Chevrolet Truck.  Madden was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was cited for driving while license is suspended.  Madden was released after posting $150.00 cash bond.  

Man Calls Police, Gets Arrested

Police responding to an unwanted person call resulted in the complainant being arrested on a warrant.  Mt. Carmel Police responded to the 100 block of W. 2nd Street and while on scene police were notified by dispatch that the complainant, 48 year old Matthew C. Kuehne of Mt. Carmel, was wanted on a Shelby County warrant.  Kuehne was arrested and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was held until he posted $250.00 cash.  The unwanted person was told not to return to the Kuehne residence.  

FTA Warrant Leads To Arrest At Casey's

09/15/2018-Mt. Carmel Police arrested 22 year old Brice C. Ellinghausen of Mt. Carmel on a Wabash County failure to appear warrant.  A Mt. Carmel Police Officer observed Ellinghausen inside the Casey's Convenience  Store and knew he was wanted on a warrant.  Eillinghausen was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was held pending the posting of $200.00 cash bond.