Name Release of Interstate 70 Pedestrian Stuck

Name Release of Interstate 70 Pedestrian Stuck 

Positive Identification:  Clay County Coroner’s Office has identified the deceased individual who was struck on Interstate 70 at the twenty-two mile marker westbound.  The individual has been positively identified as:

James J. Carder

Age 19

Wapakoneta, Ohio

Family has been notified.

The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information to release at this time.

*Original Release Below*

Indiana State Police Putnamville Post Investigate Pedestrian Struck on Interstate 70 

Clay County -  On June 27, 2024, at approximately 2:30 a.m., the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post and the Clay County Sheriff’s Department responded to a pedestrian being struck on Interstate 70 westbound near the 22 mile marker.

A preliminary investigation by Trooper Bill Clark revealed that an individual was walking in the driving lane on Interstate 70 westbound near the 22 mile marker when the individual was struck by a semi-tractor trailer.  The driver of the semi immediately pulled over and called 911, fully cooperating with the investigation.  There were no other injuries to report.

The Clay County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene to assist with the investigation and recover the remains of the deceased. The name of the deceased will be released by the Clay County Coroner’s Office at a later time once a positive identification has been made and the family has been notified.  The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information to release at this time.

Assisting Agencies:  Troopers of the Putnamville State Police Post, Clay County Sheriff's Department, Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Department, Posey Volunteer Fire Department, STAR Ambulance Service, Indiana Department of Transportation, and the Clay County Coroner's Office.   

Disturbance call leads to arrest of Princeton man on drug charges

On June 29, 2024, at 7:13 p.m. Deputies with the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office and Princeton Police Department were dispatched to the 800 block of South Hart Street in Princeton to investigate a disturbance in the area.  While enroute the officers received information that there was a man yelling at residences in this block and causing a disturbance.  Upon arriving in the area officers located 45 year old Patrick Romero in the area and began an investigation.  While speaking with Mr. Romero Special Deputy Jim Tucker observed drug paraphernalia in plain view.  At that point officers placed Mr. Romero into custody and located Marijuana and Methamphetamines on his person.  Once the roadside investigation was completed Mr. Romero was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Possession of Paraphernalia with a prior, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Methamphetamines.

 Assisting Deputy Tucker in his investigation was Deputy Shawn Holmes.  Also assisting in this investigation were Princeton Officer Jeremy Robb and David Jones.

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

4th of July Firework Safety Tips From the Indiana State Police

It’s that time of the year again where everyone is looking forward to celebrating Independence Day!  Enjoying the summer weather, having a backyard BBQ, spending time with family and friends, and using fireworks are all some of the best ways to celebrate.  ISP Putnamville wants everyone to remain safe this July 4th, and safely handling fireworks is a priority.

Listed below are some safety tips that the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post would like to provide when using fireworks to celebrate this July 4th:

Never let children handle, play with, or light any fireworks.

Never aim, point, or throw fireworks at another person.

Use extreme caution when lighting fireworks in the wind. Keep spectators where the wind is blowing smoke and debris away from them.

Never smoke or consume alcohol when lighting fireworks.

Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Steer clear of others setting off fireworks. They can backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction.

Do not attempt to make or alter any fireworks or firework devices.

Always have a fire extinguisher or water supply, such as a hose or bucket of water, nearby.

Only light one firework at a time and never attempt to re-light or fix a "dud" firework.

After a firework has finished burning, douse it with plenty of water before throwing it away to prevent starting a trash fire.

Be considerate of individuals with PTSD and other types of medical conditions. The noise can cause severe stress and reaction in neighbors.

Think about pets. Animals have sensitive ears and can be very frightened or stressed by fireworks sounds.

Use fireworks outdoors, never indoors. 

Become more familiar with the state fireworks laws in Indiana. Throughout the year it is legal to set off fireworks from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., but this may be limited further by local ordinances. 

On state holidays it is legal to set off fireworks from 9 a.m. to midnight, but this may be limited further by local ordinances.

The times on the following dates are protected in Indiana for consumer use of fireworks and may not be prohibited by local ordinance:

June 29 to July 3: from 5 p.m. until two hours after sunset;

July 4: from 10 a.m. to midnight;

July 5 to July 9: from 5 p.m. until two hours after sunset; and

December 31: from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Fireworks can only be purchased by persons 18 years of age or older.

Fireworks use is limited to personal property, the property of someone who has approved the use of fireworks or a location designated specifically for the use of consumer fireworks. 

Please be sure to check local ordinances for any fireworks limitations that might exist in your area.

The Putnamville State Police Post hopes that these few safety tips help you enjoy your 4th of July by safely celebrating with fireworks.  

Mt. Carmel Man Jailed Following Incident With Ex-Wife

On 6/27/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Christopher L. Batterton, age 47, of Mt. Carmel for Domestic Battery and Unlawful Restraint following an alleged domestic dispute at a residence in the 400 block of North Walnut Street.  Officers arrived at the scene and found evidence that Batterton had battered his ex-wife during the argument by striking her in the face and pulling her hair to keep her from leaving the residence.  Also, during the dispute, it was alleged that Batterton attempted to slam his open pocket knife into a table; however, in doing so, his hand slipped off the handle and onto the knife blade, causing injury to the hand.  Batterton was treated by an area hospital and released.  Batterton was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged accordingly and held pending a pre-trial detention determination by the court.

Indiana State Police Putnamville Post Investigate Pedestrian Struck on Interstate 70

Clay County -  On June 27, 2024, at approximately 2:30 a.m., the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post and the Clay County Sheriff’s Department responded to a pedestrian being struck on Interstate 70 westbound near the 22 mile marker.

A preliminary investigation by Trooper Bill Clark revealed that an individual was walking in the driving lane on Interstate 70 westbound near the 22 mile marker when the individual was struck by a semi-tractor trailer.  The driver of the semi immediately pulled over and called 911, fully cooperating with the investigation.  There were no other injuries to report.

The Clay County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene to assist with the investigation and recover the remains of the deceased. The name of the deceased will be released by the Clay County Coroner’s Office at a later time once a positive identification has been made and the family has been notified.  The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information to release at this time.

Assisting Agencies:  Troopers of the Putnamville State Police Post, Clay County Sheriff's Department, Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Department, Posey Volunteer Fire Department, STAR Ambulance Service, Indiana Department of Transportation, and the Clay County Coroner's Office.   

911 call leads to arrest of impaired driver

On June 26, 2024 at approximately 8:26 p.m. the Gibson County Sheriff`s Office received a 911 call from a witness of an impaired driver that was entering Gibson County from Vanderburgh County.  The witness gave a vehicle description and plate number of the suspect vehicle.  Sgt. John Fischer, Deputy Shawn Holmes and Haubstadt Deputy Marshal Bryan Munnier located the vehicle on SR 68 near the Posey County line.  Sgt. John Fischer identified the driver as Timothy Greenfield, age 47, of Evansville. Sgt. John Fischer conducted a roadside investigation and found probable cause that Mr. Greenfield had operated a vehicle while intoxicated.  Sgt. John Fischer and Deputy Shawn Holmes transported Mr. Greenfield to Deaconess Gibson Hospital where he failed a chemical test by registering .358.  Mr. Greenfield was transported to the Gibson County Jail and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated with endangerment, operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a BAC over .15% and operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a prior conviction.
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Mt. Carmel Man Turns Himself In On FTA Warrant

 On 6/23/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Matthew S. Doan, age 31, of Mt. Carmel on a Wabash County Warrant for Failure to Appear.  Doan arrived at the police department to turn himself in.  Doan was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued the warrant and held pending a pre-trial release determination by the court. 

Mt. Carmel Man Arrested On Drug & Weapons Charges

On 6/21/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Richard E. Stringfellow, age 49, of Mt. Carmel for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Unlawful Possession of Weapon by Felon following a traffic stop on Hydraulic Ave., just north of 5th Street, for committing multiple violations of the Illinois Vehicle Code while operating a gray 1987 Chevrolet truck.  During the stop, Ofc. Hopper and his K-9 Eleven responded to the scene and conducted a free air narcotics sniff around the truck.  In doing so, Eleven alerted to the presence of narcotics resulting in a search of the vehicle.  Officers discovered a towel that had two used narcotics pipes inside of it.  One of the pipes had approximately .2 grams of suspected methamphetamine inside of it. The suspected methamphetamine later field tested positive when tested.  Officers noted that Stringfellow attempted to take this towel with him when exiting the truck.  A further search of the vehicle led officers to locating a large knife with an 11-inch blade, 3 throwing hatchets and a wooden bludgeon style club. There items are unlawful for Stringfellow to possess due to his status as a convicted felon.  Stringfellow was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged accordingly and held pending a pre-trial release determination by the court.