Yesterday, September 12, 2021, at approximately 5:00 pm, troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post investigated a single-vehicle crash on I-65 in southern Jackson County that resulted in two juveniles being ejected from the vehicle, causing serious injuries.

According to the initial investigation by Trooper David Simpkins, a white 2011 Nissan Armada, being driven by Kayla C. Irish, age 32, Lakeland, Florida was traveling northbound near the 36-mile marker, at the Crothersville, Indiana exit. 

For an unknown reason, Irish lost control of the vehicle. 

The vehicle struck a guardrail and overturned.  The vehicle rolled before striking a concrete barrier wall and coming to rest.  During the collision, a nine-year-old female juvenile and a five-year-old male juvenile were ejected from the vehicle. 

Irish, along with the female juvenile was transported by medical helicopter to Louisville area hospitals for treatment of serious injuries. 

The five-year-old, along with a 12-year-old male juvenile, were transported by ground ambulance to Norton Children’s Hospital, Louisville, Kentucky for treatment of injuries. 

Four other occupants of the vehicle declined medical attention at the scene.

The crash investigation is ongoing by Trp. Simpkins, with the assistance of the Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team.

Alcohol and drugs are not suspected in the crash although toxicology results are pending at this time.

The northbound lanes of I-65 were closed for approximately three hours for crash investigation and cleanup.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Crothersville Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Scott County Sheriff’s Department, Jackson County EMS, Scott County EMS, Vernon Township Fire Department, and Howard’s Wrecker Service.

Harvest season is here and for some, that means visiting pumpkin patches and apple orchards, but we want to remind motorists that harvest season also means farmers will begin harvesting this year’s corn and soybean crops. That means more slow-moving agricultural equipment will be traveling on Indiana’s rural roads and highways. We want to remind everyone to stay alert and be courteous to ensure we all get home safely.

“Fall is one of my favorite seasons of the year, and I know for many others it’s their favorite, too. While traveling along our rural roads I often come across tractors, grain wagons, and combines traveling between fields to harvest their crops,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. “I want to encourage all motorists to slow down, be patient and be on high alert for agricultural equipment on our roads this harvest season.”

In 2019 in Indiana, farm equipment vehicles (other than trucks) were involved in three accidents, with one fatality, according to the National Highway Traffic Administration.

“Harvest season is a busy time for both farmers and motorists, I want to remind everyone to slow down and be courteous on our rural roads and highways,” said Bruce Kettler, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. “Slow-moving farm equipment typically travels at 25 miles per hour or less, so be sure to exercise caution when approaching.”

Farm equipment during harvest season could include tractors, combines, grain carts, grain wagons and large trucks hauling agricultural products. These vehicles are wide, sometimes taking up most of the road, and often travel at speeds no greater than 25 mph.

The following list includes several safety tips for motorists approaching large farm equipment:

• Farmers will pull over when they are able to let motorists pass, but it may take time for them to get to a safe place to do so.
• Be patient. Farm equipment is wide, sometimes taking up most of the road.
• Be careful when passing. Do not pass in a designated “No Passing Zone” or within 100 feet of any intersection, railroad grade crossing, bridge, elevation structure or tunnel.
• Do not try to pass a slow-moving vehicle on the left without ensuring that the vehicle is not planning a left turn. It may appear that the driver is pulling over for you to pass when it is actually preparing to turn. You will drive right into its path, endangering yourself and the farmer.
• Avoid tailgating, as some farm equipment might have to make sudden stops along the road.
• Allow plenty of time to get to a destination, be aware of alternate routes and avoid distractions.

“Despite encouraging motorists and farmers alike to take extra precaution on roadways during harvest season, crashes still occur every year,” said Doug Carter, Indiana State Police Superintendent. “One death is one too many. I want to remind everyone to remain alert and exercise caution as you travel on Indiana’s rural roads this fall.”

For a list of safety tips, click here or visit isda.in.gov. The following organizations will be working together to share this important safety message during planting season: Hoosier Ag Today, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Transportation and Indiana State Police.

Preparations being made to lay final surface pavement

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Milestone Contractors, LP plans to implement additional traffic restrictions along the U.S. 50 in Seymour this week.

Cloverleaf Drive Closure
Starting Thursday morning, September 16, Cloverleaf Drive is scheduled to close at U.S. 50. The closure will allow for the removal of old pavement and the placement of new full-depth asphalt. Cloverleaf Drive is expected to reopen Saturday evening, weather permitting.

U.S. 50 Traffic Shift at U.S. 31
Also on Thursday, U.S. 50 traffic will be moved to the inside lanes just west of U.S. 31 as crews begin constructing a traffic island in the northwest corner of the intersection. This configuration is expected to remain in place for approximately two weeks.

U.S. 50 WB Box Culvert Installation
In addition, the second phase of box culvert installation is scheduled to take place this coming weekend (Sept. 17-19). U.S. 50 WB will again be reduced to one lane between Holiday Square Drive and Agrico Lane starting Friday morning. Two eastbound lanes will remain open, but will be shifted slightly to the south.

As in phase one, westbound lanes will merge to a single lane near Azul Tequila and also split so the left-turn lane can be utilized at Myers Lane. To turn left, drivers should use the left lane, and use the right lane to continue west on U.S. 50. Two thru lanes will become available near Wal-Mart (Agrico Lane).

Final Pavement Preparation
Over the next few weeks, Milestone will begin making preparations for final paving. Following pavement replacement between El Nopal and Agrico Lane, the surface will be paved and pavement markings will be placed throughout project limits. This work is scheduled to be completed under lane closures by the end of October.

Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones. All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change.

In October of 2020, Master Trooper Jarrod Lents initiated an investigation into allegations of improper sexual contact between an adult male and a female under the age of 14. 

During the nearly year-long investigation, probable cause was developed that Mauricio Bolanos, age 20 of Jasper, had sexual relations in early 2020 with a female under the age of 14.  Bolanos was over the age of 18 at the time of the interactions. 

On September 10^th, 2021, a warrant was issued from the Dubois Circuit Court, charging Mauricio Bolanos with:

• Child Molesting – level 3 felony
• Sexual Misconduct with a Minor- level 5 felony

On September 13^th, 2021, Troopers Lents and Villanueva located Bolanos at his residence in Jasper.  He was arrested without incident and transported to the Dubois County Jail.

Last night at approximately 8:24 p.m., Indiana State Police and Posey County Sheriff’s Office responded to a three-vehicle crash on SR 165 approximately ½ mile north of I-64. When officers arrived, they discovered two of the drivers involved were husband and wife and alcohol was a contributing factor.

Preliminary investigation by Indiana State Police revealed Donald Ricketts, 56, of Poseyville, was driving his 2019 Nissan Frontier north on SR 165 when he drove left of center and struck the driver’s side of a tractor-trailer that was traveling south on SR 165. 

After the collision occurred, which was a short distance from Ricketts’ residence, Ricketts allegedly contacted his wife to pick him up at the crash site.

Moments later, before police arrived, Cheral Ricketts, 55, was driving her 2014 Nissan south on SR 165 when she collided into her husband’s vehicle, which was still in the roadway from the previous crash. Both Ricketts’ vehicles were totaled.

When officers arrived on scene, Donald and Cheral Ricketts displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests.

Cheral Ricketts was taken to Deaconess Gibson Hospital by Indiana State Police where a preliminary test revealed she had a BAC of .22%. She was later taken to the Posey County Jail where she is currently being held on bond. 

Donald Ricketts was also taken to Deaconess Gibson Hospital where a preliminary test revealed he had a BAC of .28%.  He was admitted for a medical issue that is not life-threating.  The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured.

This is an on-going investigation.

Investigating Officers: Sergeant Russ Werkmeister, Trooper Zack Fulton and Trooper Alex Vennekotter, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agency: Posey County Sheriff’s Office

Two free Covid-19 vaccine clinics are scheduled for September 17 and 21st in Salem.

This will be the FDA approved-Pfizer vaccine. 

The first will be at Friday Night on the Square from 6-9p. 

Insurance is not required but those attending are asked to bring your card. 

The other clinic will be on Tuesday, Sept. 21 from 10a to 3:30p at the St. Vincent hospital in their classroom inside the main entrance of the hospital. 

No appointment is necessary. 

Appointment for the second shot made at the time of Vaccination