On May 5, 2021, at 9:44 a.m. Officers from the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office and the Princeton Police Department went to a residence in the 300 block of South Gibson Street in Princeton to serve an arrest warrant. Upon arriving at the residence Deputy Jennifer Loesch detected the odor of burnt Marijuana coming from the residence. Upon speaking with 28-year-old Jalen Packer who was at the residence a small amount of Marijuana was found. Deputy Jennifer Loesch applied for a search warrant of the residence and upon obtaining a judge’s signature a search of the residence was conducted. Mr. Packer was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Dealing Marijuana. He has since posted a $750 bond.
Assisting Deputy Loesch in her investigation was Sergeant Bruce Vanoven and Deputy Quinten Might. Also assisting in the investigation were Princeton Officers Jason Swan and Dan Goedde.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Evansville man arrested for driving while suspended
On May 5, 2021, at 2:38 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Brian Naas conducted a traffic stop on US 41 near County Road 550 South after observing Green 2000 Buick for speeding. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Naas identified the driver as 56-year-old Ocie Nichols of Evansville. Upon running Mr. Nichols through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicle Deputy Naas discovered that Mr. Nichols was operating his vehicle while his license was suspended on a prior driving while suspended conviction. At that point Deputy Naas placed Mr. Nichols into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Driving While Suspended/Prior. He has since posted a $650 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two Injured In Effingham County Wreck
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Two Unit Traffic Crash with Injury
WHERE: Illinois Route 33 @ N 1775th Street, St. Francis Township, Effingham County
WHEN: May 7, 2021 at 9:10 p.m.
VEHICLES: Unit 1 – Blue 2013 Ford Flex
Unit 2 – Black 2018 Ford F-150 Pickup Truck
DRIVERS: Unit 1 – Duane P. Poelher, an 86-year-old male from Dieterich, IL - Transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Unit 2 – Devin M. Wright, a 26-year-old male from Dieterich, IL – Uninjured.
PASSENGERS: Unit 1 – Pamela L. Bloemer, a 74-year-old female from Teutopolis, IL - Transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Unit 2 – Peyton A. Reiss, a 24-year-old male from Edwardsville, IL -Uninjured.
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling northbound on 1775th Street, approaching the intersection with Illinois Route 33, Effingham County. Unit 2 was traveling westbound on IL RT-33. Unit 1 failed to yield the right-of-way and was struck on its passenger side as it crossed in front of Unit 2. Unit 1 driver and passenger were transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Unit 2 driver and passenger reported no injuries at the scene. No further information will be disseminated at this time.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Casey Man Injured In Motorcycle Wreck
ISP INVESTIGATES TRAFFIC CRASH
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Single Motorcycle Personal Injury Traffic Crash
WHERE: Illinois Route 49, in the curve just south of County Road 100N, Clark County
WHEN: May 8, 2021 at 7:17 a.m.
VEHICLE: Unit 1 – Black 2003 Honda Shadow motorcycle
DRIVER: Unit 1 – Herschel R. Nichols, a 62-year-old male from Casey, IL –Transported via ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling southbound on IL Rt. 49, in the curve just south of Clark C.R. 100N. The rider of Unit 1 failed to negotiate the curve causing Unit 1 to exit the roadway where it struck a ditch embankment and ejected the rider. The rider of Unit 1 was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No further information will be disseminated at this time.
CHARGES: Nichols was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Illinois man arrested on drug charge
On May 6, 2021, at 10:22 p.m., Gibson County Deputy Bryan Naas conducted a traffic stop on a Black 2013 Chevy passenger vehicle for speeding on US 41 near Fort Branch. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Naas identified the driver as 23-year-old Davion Harris of Riverdale, Illinois. While speaking with Mr. Harris Deputy Naas detected the odor of burnt Marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. At that point Deputy Naas began a roadside investigation, and at the conclusion of his investigation he placed Mr. Harris into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Harris was charged with Possession of Marijuana and Operating a Vehicle Without Ever Receiving a Valid License. He has since posted a $300 bond.
Assisting Deputy Naas in his investigation was Fort Branch Officer Jeff Beck.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Boonville man arrested on DUI charge
On May 8, 2021, at 1:24 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Garrett Tuley conducted a traffic stop on a Grey 2019 Ford F150 for speeding on US 41 near County Road 350 South. While following the vehicle he also observed the driver of the vehicle was having trouble maintaining their lane of travel. Once the vehicle was stopped on US 41 near County Road 100 West Deputy Tuley was able to identify the driver as 22-year-old Mason Griffin of Boonville, Indiana. While speaking with Mr. Griffin Deputy Tuley detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver and began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Tuley transported Mr. Griffin to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. He has since posted a $450 bond.
Assisting Deputy Tuley in his investigation was Deputy Bryce Jutzi.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Trucker Charged With DUI Following Crash
ISP INVESTIGATES TRAFFIC CRASH
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Single vehicle CMV personal injury crash
WHERE: I-57 south bound at mile post 144, near Edgewood, IL, Effingham County
WHEN: May 8, 2021 at 2:14pm
VEHICLE: Unit 1 – Blue 2016 Freightliner
DRIVER: Unit 1 – Christopher T. Dunn, 45, from Conway, SC–
Transported via ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit one was south bound on 1-57 at mile post 144 when Unit one left the roadway to the left into the center median. Unit one overturned on the passenger side and came to final rest between both lanes of traffic in the median.
CHARGES: Dunn was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, Driving under the influence of alcohol, and possession and consumption of alcohol in a commercial motor vehicle.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
ICC Approves Improvements to 3 Rail Crossings near Mount Carmel
Springfield, IL – The Illinois Commerce Commission has granted approval of a Stipulated Agreement to install new automatic flashing lights, signals and gates at the CR 1140N/TR52, CR550E/TR60 and the CR700E/CH5 grade crossings of the Norfolk Southern’s tracks near Mount Carmel in Wabash County.
The combined total estimated cost for the new automatic warning devices at all three crossings is $1,302,519. ICC Staff recommends that the Grade Crossing Protection Fund be used to pay 95% of the signal design and installation costs, not to exceed $1,237,395. Norfolk Southern will pay all remaining signal design and installation costs, and all future operating and maintenance costs related to the new automatic warning devices at all three crossings.
All work is to be completed by within eighteen (18) months of the Order date.
“The allocation of Grade Crossing Protection funds enables this rail safety project to move forward, and that is good news for the community and all those traversing the crossing," said ICC Commissioner Michael T. Carrigan.
To read Stipulated Agreement 2127 in Docket No. T21-0048 click here.
Pipe Replacement Scheduled for SR 64 near Oakland City
GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a complete road closure for a pipe replacement project on State Road 64 near Oakland City.
Beginning on or around Wednesday, May 12, INDOT maintenance crews will close S.R. 64 near the Patoka River Bridge for a culvert pipe replacement in the area. This requires a complete pavement cut across all lanes, excavation of the old pipe, and replacement of the new pipe. Crews will then fill the pavement cut with material to be compacted under normal traffic conditions. After fill material has been compacted, workers will come back and replace the asphalt.
Depending upon weather conditions, the project is expected to take about a day depending upon weather conditions. Work will start following the morning peak traffic time and should end before evening peak hours.
Local traffic will have access up to the point of closure, but all through traffic should use the official detour following S.R. 61 and S.R. 57.
INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.
Driver Injured In Clay County Crash
ISP INVESTIGATES TRAFFIC CRASH WITH INJURY
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Single Unit Traffic Crash with Injury
WHERE: County Road 300N eastbound, just west of County Road 1000E, Clay County.
WHEN: May 6, 2021, 2021 at 4:05 p.m.
VEHICLE: Unit 1 – Bronze 2000 Ford Explorer
DRIVER: Unit 1 – Kristan Olden, a 27-year-old female from Flora, IL –Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
PASSENGERS: Unit 1 – A 2-year-old female from Flora, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital to be examined, but was uninjured.
Unit 1 – A seven-month-old male from Flora, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital to be examined, but was uninjured.
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling east on County Road 300 North, just west of County Road 1000 East. For an unknown reason, Unit 1 left the roadway to the left and entered the ditch. Unit 1 struck the ditch embankment and overturned. Unit 1 also struck a utility pole before coming to rest on its tires. Unit 1 driver was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Unit 1 passengers were transported by ambulance to an area hospital to be examined, but were uninjured. No further information will be disseminated at this time.
CHARGES: The driver of Unit 1 was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Crash and Improper Lane Usage.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.