Three West Washington Seniors were taken by helicopter ambulance to the University of Louisville hospital at approx. 4:04p  afternoon as a result of a crash on Beck’s Mill Road. Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg and deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, responded to the two vehicle crash that occurred on Becks Mill Road near Posey Chapel Road, in rural Washington County.

Injured were Dakota L. Bowling, 18, Salem; Serena Durgins, 19, Fredericksburg and Cody Lavens, 18, Fredericksburg. Only Lavens was not wearing a seatbelt.

The preliminary investigation revealed a white 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier was travelling south on Becks Mill Road. When the vehicle crested a hill, the driver lost control and went left of center, striking the front of a north bound, blue over gray, 2000, Ford F-350 pickup truck. The Ford F-350 pickup truck drove off the east side of Becks Mill Road in an attempt to avoid the white Cavalier, but was still struck.

The 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier was being driven by Bowling. He was wearing his seat belt. The front seat passenger, Durgins, 19, was wearing a seat belt and Lavens was in the back seat. All three occupants of the Chevrolet Cavalier were transported by air ambulance to the University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, KY with serious injuries.

The driver of the 2000 Ford F-350 pickup truck, Jared T. Green, 41, from Fredricksburg was wearing a seat belt and sustained no injuries in the crash.

Indiana State Police Crash Reconstructionist were called to the scene to reconstruct the crash. This investigation is continuing with the above information being preliminary.

Assisting Agencies were Washington County E.M.S., Squad 0195 and the Posey Township Fire Department.

Stay tuned for WSLM Radio for more details as they develop.

A tip to the Salem Police Department has resulted in the arrest of a 27-year-old Salem man wanted for armed robbery and theft. And as he was booked, narcotics were found which led to further charges.

On Monday, March 3^rd, officers from the Salem Police Department served a search warrant at 303 West Market Street in Salem as the part of an ongoing investigation into the home invasion and robbery of an elderly man in Salem and arrested James Lanham, 27, 303 West Market Street, Salem.

Lanham was charged with  Robbery, Class B Felony; Burglary, Class A Felony and theft, Class D Felony. During the book-in process, narcotics were found on him and will result in the following additional charges:Possession of hypodermic needle,  D Felony and Possession of a Schedule I Substance (Heroin) within 1000 of a school, a C Felony

On evening of Friday, February 28^th, 2014, the Salem Police received a phone call from an elderly individual in the West Market Street area who reported that he had been robbed at gunpoint.

The man said an unknown individual had entered his home, pushed him down and taken several items from his home.  The elderly man was injured in the incident.  The suspect then fled on foot with several valuable items.

As police were talking to James Lanham, age 27, they noticed several items matching the description of the stolen articles in the apartment.  A search warrant was acquired and the residence was secured.

Upon the search of the residence, police located the items that were taken from the home invasion.

Lanham was taken to the Salem Police Department and interviewed.  During the interview, he confessed to the robbery.  He was then arrested and charged.