Washington County Sheriff’s Department officers responded to two motorcycle accidents on Memorial Day.

The first resulted in a fatality (see related story) and the second one on White River Road in Northwestern Washington County sent a Salem man to the hospital.  

Officers responded to both accidents around 8:49p. 

According to Detective Brad Naugle and Sheriff Brent Miller, evidence at the scene indicated that Thomas E. Casey Jr. of Salem was traveling on White River Road on his 2000 Kawasaki motorcycle. 

Police said he failed to maneuver a curve and drove into a ditch, causing the cycle to flip and eject Thomas. 

He was transported to St. Vincent Hospital and later transported to University of Louisville hospital for neck and internal injuries. 

Police said alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the crash. 

The Washington County Baby Contest will be held at the Bradie M. Shrum Safe Room in Salem on Saturday, June 12. 

Registration is at Noon with the contest getting underway at 1p. 

This year’s theme reflects the theme of the fair – “Celebrating the Hoosier Spirit.”

The entry fee is $6 per child. Admission is $4. 

There are 14 categories, including:

• 0-6 Months, Boys and Girls
• 7-12 Months, Boys and Girls
• 13-18 Months, Boys and Girls
• 19-24 Months, Boys and Girls
• 25-30 Months, Boys and Girls
• 31-36 Months, Boys and Girls
• Multiples, Boys and Girls

Contact Superintendent Becky White at 812.620.7271 for additional information.

Troopers from Indiana State Police – Sellersburg are investigating a fatal car versus motorcycle crash that occurred Monday evening on a rural county road in northwestern Washington County. 

Around 8:49 Monday evening, Troopers Kyle Taylor and Eric Powers, along with units from the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Washington County EMS, and the Campbellsburg Fire Department, responded to a crash in the 7000 block of North White River Road. 

When units arrived, they found two vehicles, a green 2000 Suzuki motorcycle and a 2001 Mercury Mountaineer SUV, off the east side of the roadway. 

The driver of the motorcycle, Jacob W. Lengel, 31, of Salem, Indiana, was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The driver of the Mountaineer, a 17-year-old male from Campbellsburg, Indiana, was not injured. 

An Indiana State Police crash reconstruction team was called to assist.  After a preliminary investigation, officers believe the motorcycle was southbound on White River Road and traveling at a high rate of speed. 

Investigators say the bike went left-of-center after rounding a corner and cresting a hill.  Evidence at the scene indicates the driver of the northbound SUV attempted to avoid striking the motorcycle; however, both vehicles hit head-on on the east side of the roadway. 

Investigators remained on-scene until approximately 1 a.m. on Tuesday.

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in this crash.

This crash is still under investigation. 

On May 25, 2021, First Sergeant John Hartman and Deputies Skylar Thompson and Josh Juliot responded to a suspicious person at a local business in rural Scott County. 

Upon arrival, an investigation led to deputies locating nearly 17 grams of methamphetamine, suspected heroin, and paraphernalia. 

After the investigation deputies arrested Travis Brock, 39, of Scottsburg for Possession of Methamphetamine At Least 10 Grams but Less than 28 Grams, Possession of Cocaine or a Schedule I or II Narcotic Drug, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, and Possession of Paraphernalia. 

Sheriff Goodin praised the callers, stating this is a classic example of community-oriented policing. 

Within the last couple of weeks of school, Scott County Sheriff Jerry Goodin visited fifth grade students at Austin Elementary, Lexington Elementary, Johnson Elementary, Scottsburg Elementary and Vienna-Finley Elementary to describe the roles and jobs of police officers in our society. He also talked about making good choices and provided a book to all the students to read.

The Indiana Department of Transportation’s Southeast District will host open interviews on Wednesday, June 2, in Seymour. Interviews will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. at the District Administration Building (185 Agrico Lane, Seymour, IN).

INDOT is hiring for full-time culvert inspectors, heavy equipment operators, mechanics, and traffic signal technicians.

Starting pay was recently increased for a number of positions.

Personnel will be on-hand to answer questions and provide more information about careers within the agency.

To learn more, visit INDOTjobs.com or text INDOT Careers to 468311 to receive additional job postings.

Registration is not necessary to attend. Due to COVID-19, face coverings and social distancing will be required.

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor E&B Paving Inc. plans to complete patching, milling, and paving work starting on or after Wednesday, June 2, at two S.R. 135  bridges in Washington County. 

Crews will patch, mill, and repave the bridge approaches ahead of a series of deck overlay projects that are scheduled for July.

Work will take place under daytime lane closures with flagging at S.R. 135 over South Fork Blue River and Bear Creek. Both are located north of U.S. 150.

The deck overlay projects are planned over two weekends in July. State Road 135 will close while the overlay work is in progress (Thursday evening to Monday morning).

Additional information, including closure dates and detour route, will be shared at a later date.

Changeable message boards will also be in place along S.R. 135 to communicate project information.

Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution, and drive distraction-free in and near all work zones.

All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Wednesday night, a traffic stop by Indiana State Police Trooper Chad Babbs led to the arrest of Thomas Wallace, 39, Logansport, IN. Wallace was incarcerated in the Cass County Jail to face criminal charges for possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of a syringe, operating a vehicle without ever having received an operator’s license, and possession of methamphetamine.

Tuesday at approximately 11:59 p.m., Babbs initiated a traffic stop, on a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica, on Chicago Street near Center Street. The Pacifica allegedly had a false and fictitious license plate. Wallace was identified as the driver.

During the traffic stop, Babbs learned that Wallace had an active arrest warrant for a parole violation. Further investigation revealed that Wallace allegedly had never received a driver’s license. Wallace was placed under arrest

Before towing the Pacifica, Babbs conducted an inventory of its contents. During the inventory, he allegedly found marijuana and 10 syringes. One of the syringes purportedly was loaded with methamphetamine.

Wallace was incarcerated in the Cass County Jail.

Babbs was assisted by Logansport Police Officer Branson Eber.

Indiana State Putnamville District initiated a criminal investigation after receiving information on April 10, 2021, from the Shelburn Town Marshall, concerning allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor.

Arrested and Charges:  Anterio H. Martin, 39, Sullivan, IN

• Child Solicitation, Level 5 Felony
• Sexual Battery, Level 6 Felony 

The investigation revealed that Martin had allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor under the age of 16.  This allegation took place in Sullivan County.  

After reviewing the investigation Sullivan County Prosecutor, Ann Smith-Mischler, requested an arrest warrant for Martin’s arrest. 

Sullivan County Circuit Court granted an arrest warrant on May 26, 2021. 

He was arrested this morning by the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department without incident. 

Anterio Martin is currently being held in the Sullivan County Jail on a $23,000 bond with 10% allowed.  

Investigating Officer:  Indiana State Police Master Trooper Detective Angie Hahn of the Putnamville District.  

Assisting Agencies:  Sullivan County Department of Child Services, Susie’s Place, Shelburn Town Marshall, and Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department.  

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.