On April 19, 2021, the Dubois County Prosecutor filed charges on Joann T. Voelkel due to a months-long investigation by the Indiana State Police in reference to a fatal accident that occurred on October 16, 2020, and claimed the life of Ruth A. Meyer.
Voelkel has been charged with one count of Reckless Driving Class A Misdemeanor and summons to the Dubois County Court.
On October 16, 2020, at approximately 6:35 PM EST, the Indiana State Police and the Dubois County Sheriff’s Department responded to a vehicle vs. utility tractor crash in northern Dubois County.
The crash occurred on County Road 675 North, west of Portersville Rd near the address of 4288 West 675 North. Preliminary investigation shows that at the time of the crash, Ruth A. Meyer, 60, of Jasper, was operating her lawnmower when she entered the roadway from the south into the path of a black 1996 Chrysler LHS driven by Joann T. Voelkel, 62, who was traveling west on County Road 675 North.
Voelkel was unable to avoid collision and struck the utility tractor.
Meyer was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of the crash.
Preliminary investigation shows that alcohol or drugs did not contribute to this crash. The crash is still under investigation by an Indiana State Police.
