Indiana Troopers Investigate Fatal Crash Near Eckerty

Crawford County – Monday afternoon, August 5th, at approximately 1:25 p.m., Indiana State Police and Crawford County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two-vehicle crash on State Road 37 just north of Bethany Church Road.

Preliminary investigation indicated Camiren J. Etienne, 20, of Tell City, was driving a 2003 Buick passenger car southbound on State Road 37 and Brian A. Humphrey, 50, of French Lick, was driving a 2003 Chevrolet SUV northbound on State Road 37. For an unknown reason, Humphrey crossed the center line of State Road 37 and hit Etienne head-on. Etienne died on the scene from his injuries. Humphrey was transported by helicopter to the University of Louisville Hospital.

This is an ongoing investigation and family members have been notified.

Investigating Officer: Master Trooper Darryl Terrell , Indiana State Police

Assisting Officers: Captain Rob Priest, Sergeant Robert Lambert, Sergeant George Wooten, Master Trooper Tim Weisenberger, Master Trooper Daniel Smith, Detective Josh Greer, Trooper Andrew Watson, and Trooper Austin Collins

Assisting Agencies: Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Crawford County Coroner, English Fire Department Crawford County EMS, and Air Evac (Louisville)

Welfare check nets impaired driver

On August 7, 2024, at 2:06 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Michael Bates pulled into the Huck’s parking lot located at 78 East State Road 168 near Fort Branch and observed a female slumped over the front seat of a Silver 2006 Chevrolet Impala.  At that point Deputy Bates knocked on the window of the vehicle to conduct a welfare check.  Upon waking the female up Deputy Bates identified the driver as 29 year old Melanie O’Brien of Cynthiana.  While speaking with Ms. O’Brien Deputy Bates detected multiple clues that she was under the influence of an unknown intoxicant.  At that point Deputy Bates began a roadside OWI investigation.  Upon completing the investigation Ms. O’Brien was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. 

Deputy Bates was assisted in his investigation by Sgt. John Fischer and Fort Branch Officer Louis Jerrell.

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

I-69 connection becomes reality between Evansville and Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Governor Eric J. Holcomb, Vice President Mike Pence and Governor Mitch Daniels Tuesday joined INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith to celebrate the opening of the Interstate 69 corridor connecting Evansville to Indianapolis.

“This historic milestone, completed three years ahead of schedule, is the culmination of decades-long conversations, planning efforts and progress,” said Gov. Holcomb. “The opening of the I-69 Finish Line corridor completes not only a direct connection between Evansville and Indianapolis, but also to and through Kentucky and Michigan all the way ultimately to our important Canadian and Mexican supply chain trade markets.”

Construction on the Finish Line project, the final segment of I-69, began in 2019 in Martinsville. Since then, the $2 billion project has upgraded more than 26 miles of State Road 37 to interstate standards, constructed ten new interchanges and built more than 35 lane-miles of local access roads through Morgan, Johnson and Marion Counties.

The new interchange at I-69 and I-465 consists of two flyover ramps just west of the existing SR 37/Harding St. interchange. South of I-465, the newly constructed I-69 diverts from the current path of SR 37 north of Edgewood Ave. From the interchange, I-69 will run concurrently with I-465 to the I-69 interchange on the northeast side of Indianapolis.

“The transformation that has occurred along the I-69 Finish Line corridor over the past four-to-five years has been amazing to witness,” said INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith. “I cannot overstate the gratitude I have for the thousands of men and women in our industry who have worked countless hours to bring the nation’s newest interstate to fruition.”

The I-69 southbound ramps to and from I-465 eastbound and westbound were scheduled to open to traffic last evening (Aug. 6), followed by I-69 northbound ramps to and from I-465 eastbound and westbound on or after Friday, Aug. 9. Click here to learn more about the new system interchange.

The area near I-465 will remain an active construction zone after the interchange opens to traffic. Drivers can expect temporary lane closures and reduced speed limits as crews complete bridge and pavement work prior to moving I-465 into its permanent configuration later this year. This includes construction at the existing Harding St. interchange. More information is available here.

Most remaining work will take place on I-465 between I-65 and I-70 on the southwest side of Indianapolis through the remainder of 2024. Once complete, an additional lane will be available for travel in both directions. 

I-69 Finish Line is the sixth and final section of the I-69 connection between Evansville and Indianapolis, beginning in Martinsville and ending at I-465. With the opening of the interchange, I-69 runs continuously from the Canadian border at Port Huron, Mich. to Evansville, Ind. Lean more about the project at I69FinishLine.com.

Motorcycle Crash Results In DUI Arrest Of Mt. Carmel Man

On 7/30/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Andrew W. Piller, age 52, of Mt. Carmel for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Leaving the Scene of a Vehicle Damage Accident following a motorcycle vs. curb traffic crash.  Upon arrival to the reported vehicle collision in the 100 block of N Market Street officers located a black Honda motorcycle laying on its side in a nearby yard.  No driver was located but officers were able to locate the owner by license plate, Piller, at his residence in the 700 block of N Walnut Street.  Officers found evidence to indicate Piller was the driver and that Piller had been picked up by another vehicle following the motorcycle crash.  Piller showed significant signs of impairment from alcohol but declined to submit to field sobriety testing.  Piller was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was processed for DUI and later released on a notice to appear.

Mt. Carmel Woman Arrested For Allegedly Stealing Fruits & Vegetables From Food Stand

On 7/31/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Barbara A. Jones, age 62, of Mt. Carmel for Theft.  The arrest stemmed from a complaint from Pete’s Produce in the 100 block of W 9th Street regarding a female taking tomatoes, cucumbers and cantaloupe without paying for the items.  The officer determined the suspect to be the above defendant and made contact with at her residence in the 300 block of W 10th Street.  The stolen items were recovered and the owner requested to sign charges against Jones.  Jones was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was charged and later released on a notice to appear.

Mt. Carmel Woman Picked Up On FTA Warrant

On 8/04/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Tae’a R. Horner, age 24, of Mt. Carmel on a Wabash County FTA Warrant.  The arresting officer observed Horner exiting a vehicle in the 800 block of N Cherry Street where she was taken into custody.  Horner was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was issued the warrant and held pending a pre-trial release determination by the court.

Police remind motorists to stop for school buses or face the consequences

INDIANAPOLIS — As students head back to the classroom, state and local law enforcement agencies are reminding motorists to be on the lookout for school bus stop arms. As school begins, officers will be increasing patrols to prevent stop-arm violations, speeding, and reckless driving around school buses and school zones.

The patrols are part of the Stop Arm Violation Enforcement campaign – better known as SAVE. These patrols are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).

Despite thousands of motorists being cited under the SAVE program, unsafe driving around school buses continues to be a serious danger to children, according to the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS). 

In April, thousands of bus drivers who participated in a one-day observational survey counted 1,574 stop-arm violations in Indiana. Projected across a 180-day school year, this survey data points to a potential 283,320 violations throughout the school year. 

The data comes from the NASDPTS annual survey, which is managed by the Indiana Department of Education for the state of Indiana. This year, data collection took place on April 23, with 4,910 bus drivers participating.

"There is no excuse for drivers to put the lives of students in danger," said ICJI Traffic Safety Director James Bryan. “Drivers need to exercise caution around school buses and follow all traffic statutes.” 

To prevent unsafe driving, officers will use a range of enforcement strategies from high-visibility patrols to police spotters on buses. For each jurisdiction, officers will coordinate with local bus drivers and school transportation officials, with efforts concentrating in the morning and afternoon hours. Agencies will also be working to raise awareness about the importance of school bus safety and following the law.

Drivers should slow down and prepare to stop when the overhead lights on a school bus are flashing yellow. Once the lights turn red and the stop arm extends, drivers are required to stop on all roads with only one exception. On highways divided by a physical barrier, such as a concrete wall or grassy median, only vehicles traveling in the same direction as the school bus are required to stop in these circumstances.

Motorists should also be mindful of posted speed limits, avoid distractions, and watch for children in, or near, school and residential areas. Planning ahead and allowing for extra time during each commute will help keep all road users safe.

Phase 3 of State Road 65 reconstruction project set to begin in Cynthiana

POSEY COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces the beginning of phase three of a road reconstruction project on State Road 65 in Cynthiana.

Beginning on or around Tuesday, August 6, crews will close State Road 65 in Cynthiana. This closure will occur between State Road 68 and the southern limits of Cynthiana.

This closure is part of phase three of a road reconstruction project on State Road 65. Work for this phase of the project is expected to last through mid-October, depending on the weather.

The detour for the project is State Road 68 to State Road 165 to I-64. Local traffic will have access up to the point of closure.

Property damage accident leads to arrest of Florida man on DUI and drug charge

On August 2, 2024, at 4:56 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a vehicle in a field near the intersection of State Road 64 and State Road 325 West.  Deputy Michael Bates was dispatched to the area, and upon arriving he observed a Black 2000 Nissan Pathfinder in a field adjacent to the roadway.  At that point Deputy Bates located the driver 26 year old Nicholas Gardner of Fort Walton Beach, Florida and began an investigation into the incident.  Mr. Gardner told Deputy Bates that he had fallen asleep while driving, but during the investigation Deputy Bates detected clues that Mr. Gardner may be under the influence of an unknown intoxicant.  At that point he requested an other officer come to the scene as he began a roadside DUI investigation.  During the investigation Sgt. Loren Barchett and his K9 partner Duke performed a free air search around the vehicle with Duke indicating that there was illegal drugs inside the vehicle.  After a brief search of the vehicle twenty three MDMA (Ecstasy) pills and one Hydrocodone pill were discovered.   Once the investigation was completed Deputy Bates placed Mr. Gardner into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Possession of a Schedule 1 drug.

 Assisting Deputy Bates in his investigation were Sgt. Loren Barchett and his K9 partner Duke.  Also assisting on scene were Deputies Michael Owens and Shawn Holmes.

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