On 10/02/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Billie J. Dybedahl, age 35, of Keensburg on a Wabash County Failure to Appear Warrant for Assault. Police were called to the First National Bank of Allendale after she entered the location and alarmed staff when she caused a scene over a banking issue. Upon arrival, police made contact with Dybedahl outside of the bank. It was discovered Dybedahl had the above stated warrant, resulting in her arrest. Dybedahl was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was issued the warrant and held pending a $200 cash bond.
Reckless Driver Arrested on I-64 for Felony Firearm Possession and OWI
Spencer County – Last night, October 2nd, at approximately 11:20 p.m., Trooper Andrew Recker was patrolling I64 in Spencer County when he stopped the driver of a gray Jeep for driving 97 mph in a 70 mph zone. The driver was identified as David S. Yates, of Louisville, KY. Yates displayed signs of being impaired and failed field sobriety tests. Yates became uncooperative and refused a chemical test. A subsequent search of the vehicle was conducted by other troopers. Troopers located a 9 mm handgun, suspected marijuana, paraphernalia, and open alcoholic beverage containers. Yates was transported to the Spencer County jail where he is being held on bond.
Arrested and Charges-
David S. Yates, 39, Louisville, KY
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon – Level 4 Felony
Obstruction – Level 6 Felony
OWI - Class A Misdemeanor
Possession of Marijuana – Class B Misdemeanor
Possession of Paraphernalia – Class C Misdemeanor
Reckless Driving – Class C Misdemeanor
Arresting Officer – Trooper Andrew Recker
Assisting Officers – Trooper Jonathan Villanueva and Trooper Andrew Jones
Assisting Agency – Dubois County Sheriff’s Office and Jasper Police Department
All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
ISP REQUESTS ASSISTANCE IDENTIFYING VEHICLE INVOLVED IN CRASH OUTSIDE TEUTOPOLIS RESULTING IN ANHYDROUS AMMONIA LEAK
TEUTOPOLIS – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a vehicle potentially involved in a crash on September 29, 2023 just outside of Teutopolis that resulted in five fatalities and multiple injuries.
On Friday, September 29, 2023, ISP, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, Teutopolis Fire Protection District, and other local law enforcement, fire, and emergency services responded to a crash that occurred at 8:42 p.m. on 19740 East U.S. Highway 40. The crash involved a semi-truck tanker carrying anhydrous ammonia that was punctured and leaked.
The initial investigation shows at approximately 8:35 p.m., a dark colored vehicle (unknown make/model) potentially involved in the incident traveling westbound through the intersection of U.S. Highway 40 and Spring Creek Road in Montrose, Illinois. The investigation determined the vehicle continued traveling Westbound through Teutopolis on U.S. Highway 40 and would have passed the semi-truck tanker.
ISP agents are in Casey, Montrose, and Teutopolis communities retrieving surveillance video that could provide more information into this incident. If you have doorbell or security cameras that may have captured video of this suspect vehicle before or after the incident, or any information, please contact Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 8 Investigations at 217-342-7881.
Video of the vehicle passing through the intersection can be found here https://youtu.be/b4l68efYq7A.
Mt. Carmel Man Picked Up On Indiana Warrant
On 9/30/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Joshua M. Llamas, age 32, of Mt. Carmel on a Warren County Indiana Warrant for Failure to Appear along with a new charge for Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer. Llamas, who was located at the Casey’s Gas Station in the 400 block of W 9th Street, elected to run from the officer when advised of the warrant. Another officer arrived to the scene and quickly took Llamas into custody. Llamas was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued a Notice to Appear on Resisting/Obstructing A Peace Officer and is being held pending extradition back to Warren County.
Mt. Carmel Man Arrested For 3rd Time In 2 Weeks For Criminal Trespass
On 9/30/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Kevin E. Linson, age 63, of Mt. Carmel for Criminal Trespass to Real Property after Linson trespassed on property he had previously been banned from in the 700 block of N Market Street. The complainant was allowed to sign charges against Linson resulting in his arrest. Linson was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a pre-trial detention determination by the court. This is Linson’s third arrest in the last two weeks for the same offense.
Pear Street Incident Sends Mt. Carmel Man To Jail
On 9/29/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Landon S. Harms, age 18, of Mt. Carmel for Aggravated Domestic Battery following a domestic dispute at his residence in the 400 block of N Pear Street. Police were called to the scene after Harms allegedly threw a computer monitor while playing a video game. When another family member told him he would have to leave the home, he became confrontational and aggressive. This angered Harms causing him to try and strike another resident with a steel ball wrapped in paracord. While the victim was able to avoid the strike, the two went to the floor where a struggle ensued. Harms struck the other party in the nose with his elbow followed by repeated punches to the subject’s head with his fist. Harms transitioned to a choke hold on the subject before finally being stopped. Based on this information, police placed Harms under arrest for the above stated offense and transported him to the Wabash County Jail. Harms is being held pending a pre-trial detention determination by the court.
Niemerg Thanks First Responders of Fatal Traffic Accident on U.S. Route 40 Near Teutopolis: Calls for Full Accountability by IDOT
TEUTOPOLIS, IL - State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) thanked all first responders of a Friday night anhydrous ammonia leak in a traffic accident that has led to multiple deaths and portions of Teutopolis being evacuated. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) diverted traffic from Interstate 70 several hours earlier but had not yet resumed normal traffic back to I-70 several hours later. Five people died, with five seriously injured, involving multiple vehicles including a tractor-trailer tanker carrying anhydrous ammonia that overturned on Friday night, leading to a leak of toxic gas and necessitating evacuation of residents within a one-mile radius of the crash site.
“I want to thank all of the first responders and emergency personnel who have stepped up to get this emergency under control and my condolences to all of the families who have suffered loss and injury from this tragic event,” commented Rep. Adam Niemerg. “I have been frustrated this entire year by IDOT’s inability to take action to alleviate the accidents due to construction on Interstate 70. I have had little or no cooperation. Now, we have additional loss of life with my hometown evacuated. I am calling for a full investigation, full accountability from state IDOT officials, and an action plan initiated immediately to avoid any more tragedies such as this,” added Rep. Niemerg.
It is reported that Effingham County Coroner Kim Rhodes confirmed Saturday afternoon that five people were killed as a result of the crash and anhydrous ammonia leak. The fatalities consisted of an adult and two children from a local family, plus a motorist from Missouri and another from Ohio. The driver of the anhydrous ammonia tanker was among the five other people injured and airlifted out for medical treatment.
According to state police, more traffic than usual was on the roadway at the time because drivers on Interstate 70 had been diverted around the scene of an earlier crash that took place at 4:50 p.m. east of Effingham, state police said. Illinois State Police said in a news release Saturday morning that a multi-vehicle crash had occurred at approximately 9:25 p.m. Friday at 19740 East U.S. Highway 40, about half a mile east of Teutopolis.
Authorities initially evacuated a 2-square-mile area on the east side of town. Two regional hazardous materials teams, 15 emergency response departments and nearly 100 of their crew members responded to the spill Friday night. Representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security were also on the scene Saturday.
5 DEAD IN EFFINGHAM COUNTY CRASH INVOLVING ANHYDROUS AMMONIA LEAK
TEUTOPOLIS – The Illinois State Police (ISP), Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS), Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), and Illinois Department of Public Health, along with the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, Teutopolis Fire Protection District, and other law enforcement, fire, and emergency management agencies in Effingham County are wrapping up the emergency response to a multi-vehicle accident involving a semi-truck transporting anhydrous ammonia. Teutopolis residents have been allowed to return home and U.S. Highway 40 is open.
At approximately 9:25 p.m. on Friday, September 29, 2023, ISP was notified of a crash on U.S. Highway 40 about a half mile east of Teutopolis involving multiple vehicles, including a semi-truck leaking anhydrous ammonia. The semi-truck was carrying approximately 7,500 gallons of anhydrous ammonia at the time of the accident, of which 4,000 gallons leaked from the tanker.
Due to the plume from the ammonia leak, roughly 500 residents were evacuated from northeastern parts of Teutopolis and U.S. Highway 40 was closed between Effingham and Montrose. Five fatalities occurred as a result of the incident and multiple injuries were reported.
Local, state, and federal agencies coordinated response efforts and will continue to follow up.
State and local law enforcement, along with local fire and emergency management responded to the crash to render aid.
IDOT was involved with road closures and has since reopened U.S. Highway 40 between Effingham and Montrose.
IEMA-OHS coordinated and offered resources for the response.
A contractor hired by the responsible tanker truck reviewed the situation and advised on the best plan to safely empty the tanker.
A private hazmat company removed the anhydrous ammonia by patching and then filling the tanker with water.
U.S. EPA performed air monitoring throughout the community and evacuation zone and did not detect any levels of concern.
Local law enforcement lifted the evacuation from Pearl Street in Teutopolis, along U.S. Highway 40 to 2100 North Road, North to I-70, west to Pearl Street, and residents were able to return before 8 p.m. Saturday
Law enforcement worked to remove all involved vehicles from the scene to a local tow yard.
Illinois EPA will ensure contamination resulting from the incident is properly addressed.
ISP continues to investigate the cause of the crash, including performing traffic crash reconstruction.
“IDPH is working with our local health department partner to monitor the situation and provide needed support,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “We remind residents to ventilate their homes upon return. If they detect unusual odors, they should leave immediately and call 911. IDPH is also working on guidance regarding testing of private water wells in the immediate vicinity of the incident to check for possible contamination. We remain in consultation with the local health department and the Illinois Department of Agriculture regarding animals and livestock in the area and procedures for transporting them for veterinary evaluation.”
Thank you to the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, Teutopolis Fire Protection District, and all local law enforcement, fire, and emergency agency responders, along with state and federal agencies who responded and helped facilitate a resolution to this horrible incident.
“In am impressed with the quality and amount of assistance received from the local and state agencies,” said Effingham County Sheriff Paul Kuhns.
Ferdinand Man Arrested for Rape and Sexual Battery
Perry County - Indiana State Police Jasper Detective Patrick Stinson initiated a criminal investigation on September 27, 2023, after receiving information from the Perry County Sheriff’s Office concerning allegations of rape and sexual battery with a 23-year-old mentally deficient female.
The investigation revealed that Austin Lehmkuler, age 26, of Ferdinand, Indiana, had allegedly transported the mentally deficient female to a wooded area in Siberia and forced sexual acts upon her. The allegations took place in Perry County.
After reviewing the investigation, the Perry County Prosecutor’s Office issued a search warrant on September 29, 2023, for Lehmkuler's residence. After probable cause was found during the search, Detective Stinson arrested Lehmkuler. Lehmkuler is currently being held without bond.
Investigating Officer: Indiana State Police Master Trooper Detective Patrick Stinson.
Assisting Officers: Sergeant George Wooten and Senior Trooper Curtis Blunk
Arrested and Charges: Austin Michael Lehmkuler, 26, Ferdinand,
Rape (1 Count), Level 3 Felony
Sexual Battery (1 Count), Level 6 Felony
All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
911 call of a disturbance leads to arrest of Princeton man
On September 30, 2023, at 4:34 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a disturbance in the 10000 block of East 700 South near Mackey. Upon arriving Deputy Quinten Might spoke with witnesses at the residence and they alleged that 27 year old Dylan Slaton of Princeton had battered a subject at the residence and had also injured an animal at the residence before fleeing. After completing his investigation at the scene Deputy Might left the residence and located Mr. Slaton near Princeton. After speaking with Mr. Slaton Deputy Might placed Slaton into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Domestic Battery and Cruelty To An Animal. He remains in custody on 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.
