A Morgantown man who is also principal of Central Elementary School in Martinsville was arrested for drinking and driving after he crashed an ATV, injuring his passenger.

According to the DNR, Peter Jochim, 35, was driving a Polaris ATV near 4700 West Division Road in Morgantown when he made a sharp left turn, causing his passenger, Kristina Koons, 32, of Martinsville, to be thrown from the vehicle.

Jochim was arrested for operating an ATV under the influence of alcohol. He was taken to the Johnson County Jail on Friday.

Koons was taken to Community Hospital South for a head injury. Monday morning, a spokesperson with the hospital said Koons had been treated and released. DNR officials said Koons was not wearing a seatbelt or protective gear at the time of the crash.

An inquiry into whether or not Jochim would be placed on any kind of leave was not immediately answered.  According to Michele Moore superintendents of schools, Jochim is cooperating with police. The school district is also investigating the incident and will take appropriate action, based upon the investigation by both the district and police. Because the case is still under investigation and involves a personnel matter the school is not releasing any further statements until the investigation is complete.

DNR officers want to remind people that it’s against the law to drive an ATV under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Here are some of the events reported over the last few days from the City of Salem Police Log.  The log is provided to WSLM each Monday and we’ll be posting them here each week.

• Peeping Tom reported on Mulberry Street
• Sheriff’s Department reporting a possible death
• Resident reporting a possible scam
• Protection One reported an alarm
• Report of harassment
• Report of battery
• Possible gunfire
• Traffic Accident at McDonalds
• Report of traffic accident
• Report of a possible domestic problem
• Report of a child out of control
• Car door open at Car Quest
• Rite Aid Alarm
• Report of identity theft
• Suspicious vehicle
• Report of unrestrained children
• Threats
• Missing property
• Pilgrim Way disturbance….concerned caller
• Disturbance at the Salem Motel
• Report of an overdose
• Suspicious subject at McDonalds
• Suspicious vehicle
• Burglary reported
• Report of a child in car
• Unknown child running around naked
• Report of a speeding vehicle
• Report of a road hazard
• Call for animal control regarding a dog attack
• Suspicious subject
• Three down on Martinsburg Road

An Indiana State Trooper witnessed a single vehicle moped crash on US 150 Friday that sent two riders to the hospital with head injuries.

At approximately 6:05 p.m., Trooper Michael Allen was patrolling US 150, approximately a half mile west of County Road 590 West when he observed the moped traveling westbound in front of him attempt to travel from the shoulder onto the paved portion of the roadway.

This section of US 150 had recently been resurfaced, creating a difference in surface levels of approximately four inches. As the moped attempted to travel onto the highway, the driver, 54-year-old Tony Poe, of French Lick, lost control and crashed in the roadway. The moped came to rest on top of Poe and his passenger, 38-year-old Rachelle Wininger, of French Lick.

Trooper Allen immediately stopped, removed the moped from the riders, and determined that both were unresponsive. Allen applied bandages to Wininger, who had suffered severe head trauma. Wininger was transported by Air Evac to University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, KY due to her head injury. Poe was transported by ambulance to IU Health in Paoli with multiple injuries. Neither Poe nor Wininger were wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The conditions of both patients and extent of their injuries are unknown at this time.

As summertime road construction projects begin throughout Indiana, motorcycle riders are reminded that a large percentage of motorcycle crashes occur due to riders failing to observe and negotiate road surface elevation changes. Use extra caution when riding through construction zones. Additionally, all motorcycle riders are encouraged to utilize a helmet and proper safety attire.
Assisting at the scene were the French Lick and West Baden Police, Orange County Sheriff’s, IU Health EMS, Orange County Fire Department, Air Evac