Saturday night, October 31, at approximately 9:18, Indiana State Police responded to a vehicle vs. pedestrian crash on US 41 south of Hess Road involving a Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy that hit and killed a 68-year-old Vincennes man. 

The pedestrian involved in the fatal crash on US 41 near Hess Road has been identified as Kenneth W. McGiffen, 68, of Vincennes, IN

The investigation revealed the sheriff’s deputy was responding to a crash with unknown injuries in the area of US 41 and Cottonwood Lane.

The deputy was south of Vincennes and traveling north on US 41. The sheriff’s deputy had his emergency lights activated. As the deputy approached the area of Hess Road, a male wearing dark clothing walked from the median into the deputy’s lane of travel.

The sheriff’s deputy braked but couldn’t avoid striking the pedestrian.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene by the Knox County Coroner.

Further investigation revealed the 68-year-old male had been traveling on US 41 and for unknown reasons drove off the roadway near Cottonwood Lane and struck a tree and fence.

McGiffen left the scene of the crash and was attempting to cross US 41 when he was struck.

The original crash was approximately ¼ mile away from the crash involving the male pedestrian and the sheriff’s deputy.

The investigation is continuing.

Investigating Officer: Trooper Nick Hatfield, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officer: Sergeant Kylen Compton, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agencies: Knox County Coroner’s Office and Knox County Sheriff’s Office

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a fall from a tree stand that occurred yesterday evening.

At approximately 5:30 p.m., responders were dispatched to the 9000 block of North County Road 125 East in Jennings County for a hunter who fell approximately 14 feet from an elevated tree stand.

John Connor, 39, of Bristol, Vermont, was initially treated on the scene and subsequently airlifted to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis with a serious back injury.

An initial investigation revealed that ropes securing the saddle style tree stand to the tree became loose causing Connor to fall to the ground.

Responding agencies include Indiana Conservation Officers, Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, Jennings County EMS and Westport EMS. 

Indiana Conservation Officers encourage all who are hunting from an elevated position to utilize a safety harness and lifelines and to check all tree stands and straps prior to climbing.

Indiana Conservation Officers assisted with the recovery of an unidentified adult male from the White River today in Marion County.

At approximately 12:47 p.m., Marion County dispatch received a call regarding a body in the White River near the Indianapolis Zoo.

Upon arrival, responders discovered an unidentified male in the White River. The Marion County Coroner took possession of the remains and they are working on identifying the subject. 

Due to the condition of the victim, additional identifiers are not available at this time.

If you have any information on the identity of this person, please contact the Marion County Coroner’s Office at 317-327-4744.

Indiana Conservation Officers were assisted by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Indianapolis Fire Department, Indiana University/ Purdue University of Indianapolis Police Department.

A driver fleeing police along I-64 tossed out a bag filled with over two pounds of Meth worth over $90,000 before crossing into Illinois. 

Indiana State Police officers are looking for the driver of a 2020 Dodge Durango.

Illinois State Police and local Illinois police were contacted regarding the pursuit, but the vehicle was not located.

This is an on-going investigation.

Anyone with information regarding the possible identity of the driver or about this incident is encouraged to contact the Indiana State Police at 1-812-867-2079. Anyone with information can remain anonymous.

This afternoon at approximately 3:15, Sergeant Werkmeister was patrolling I-64 near the 12 mile-marker when he observed a 2020 Dodge Durango traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed.

The Dodge Durango was clocked by radar at 98 mph. Sergeant Werkmeister activated his emergency lights and siren and attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to stop and continued east.

The driver of the Dodge stopped quickly at the 19.5 mile-marker and threw out a bag before continuing east on I-64 reaching speeds over 100 mph.

The driver continued south on I-69 before exiting west onto Boonville New Harmony Road and then onto several different county roads before driving north on US 41 to I-64 west.

The vehicle struck stop-sticks at the 4 mile-marker that were deployed by a deputy with the Posey County Sheriff’s Office, but the vehicle was able to enter Illinois and continued west. The pursuit was terminated.

A deputy with the Posey County Sheriff’s Office later found the bag that was thrown from the vehicle near the 19.5 mile-marker. Officers located over two pounds of marijuana and over two pounds of methamphetamine inside the bag.

The methamphetamine has a street value of approximately $90,000.

Investigating Officer: Sergeant Russ Werkmeister, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agencies: Posey County Sheriff’s Office, Gibson County Sheriff’s Office and Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office