An Orange County, Indiana deputy sheriff remains in critical condition after being shot multiple times in the early morning hours of January 3^rd.

Deputy Zac Andry had stopped just before 1:00 AM with what appeared to be a disabled vehicle in the roadway at the intersection of US Highway 150 and State Road 56 in Orange County. 

ik8While interacting with the driver, Austin Schepers, Schepers shot Andry four times, including once in the head.  Schepers fled from the scene; however, after an extensive manhunt, Schepers was located in Louisville during the evening of January 4^th.  He was shot and killed by law enforcement during the encounter.

Deputy Andry continues to be listed in critical but stable condition in intensive care at the University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, KY.  He does remain under sedation and is being assisted with the use of a ventilator.  Doctors and specialists remain optimistic and are pleased with the amount of fight that Deputy Andry continues to put forth towards his recovery.  While each day has continued to bring new medical challenges, Andry has continued to press forward and overcome those trials.

Family members as well as Orange County Sheriff Davy Henderson remain grateful for the amount of support they have received, and continue to ask the community for their positive thoughts and well-wishes towards the recovery efforts of Deputy Andry.

Those who would like to contribute with financial assistance benefiting the Andry family may do so through an account hosted by Springs Valley Bank and Trust in French Lick, or through an account hosted by Indiana Fallen Heroes Foundation. 

A Charlestown man was killed when the car he was operating drove off the roadway and struck a pole early Sunday morning.   

Around 1:40 Sunday morning, the New Albany Police Department requested assistance from the Indiana State Police with a single-vehicle, serious-injury crash that occurred after Midnight in the 1800 block of Klerner Lane in New Albany. 

Trooper Ben Davis with the Sellersburg Post crash reconstruction team responded. 
 
The driver, 23-year-old Isaiah Cole Lamkin, of Charlestown, Indiana who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was transported to U of L Hospital in Louisville for severe injuries. 

Lamkin passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital.   

The preliminary investigation reveals that the Silver 2007 Toyota Highlander operated by Mr. Lamkin drove off the left side of the roadway for an unknown reason.  The car struck a mailbox and utility pole before coming to rest.  Investigators are attempting to determine why the vehicle left the roadway.  No signs of drugs or alcohol were observed at the scene, and weather was not a factor in the crash.   

The investigation is ongoing.  Trooper Davis was assisted by members of the New Albany Police Department.

The family of the deceased has been notified.

Now that the snow storm that dumped up to 11 inches of snow in some areas has passed on, the Washington County Highway Department, State of Indiana and City of Salem are still working to clean streets and roads in the area, resulting in an extension of the State of Emergency for the county until sometime Wednesday. 

Washington County Schools will remain closed on Tuesday, January 7 as well as city and county offices and several local businesses. 

Deni Stempowski, Emergency Management Agency Director, said during a state of emergency only essential vehicles should be on the road. 

Listen to Stempowksi and Sheriff Brent Miller on WSLM’s Coffee Club from this morning. 

Also, Washington County and much of Southern Indiana is listed in the warning status on the Indiana Travel Advisory Map. Many other counties are under a Watch Advisory.

The warning level is the highest level of local travel advisory, and means that travel may be restricted to emergency management workers only. During a “warning” local travel advisory, individuals are directed to:

• Refrain from all travel;
• Comply with necessary emergency measures;
• Cooperate with public officials and disaster services forces in executing emergency operations plans; and
• Obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers.