Sunday morning, just after midnight, Senior Trooper Anthony Potesta was patrolling I-80/94 near Broadway. 

A black Dodge Challenger passed the officer at an extremely high rate of speed. Trooper Potesta was able to catch up to the Challenger and checked the vehicle’s speed at 145 m.p.h. 

The speed limit on I-80/94 is posted 55 mph. 

A traffic stop was initiated on the Dodge near Ripley St. Further investigation leads the trooper to believe that the driver was impaired. 

The driver voluntarily performed field sobriety tests and submitted to a certified breath test. That certified test showed his blood alcohol content (B.A.C.) to be .13%. The legal limit in Indiana is .08% B.A.C.

The driver was then taken into custody and transported to the Lake County Jail.

Arrested was Damien L. Holmes, 29, of Gary, IN. Mr. Holmes was charged with O.W.I. – Class A Misdemeanor and Reckless Driving – Class B Misdemeanor.

Assisting at the scene was Waffco Towing.

Indiana’s Fifth Covid-19 death came this morning with the passing of a patient in their 50s from Scott County.

The Scott County health department received documentation this morning that the county has its first death due to coronavirus. 

The patient was in their 50s and had a pre-existing condition. They have been self-quarantining at their residence where they passed early this morning, the health department said.

According to the SCHD’s Facebook page, the person that was diagnosed on Friday, March 20th with Coronavirus in Scott County.

“We have provided as much information about the patient and their risk to the community as we can, without violating their privacy. Please be respectful of their family during this difficult time,” noted the post. 

In the future, if a case poses a risk to the community, the SCHD will make a public notice of those events and gatherings to keep the community informed.

There were conflicting reports that a 2nd person was confirmed to have had Covid-19 in Scott County but that person was a resident of Washington County, despite having a Scott County address.

“We send condolences to the family and friends of the one who passed. This is a stark reminder of the severity of this disease. We as a community must listen to the guidance of the experts and practice all the ways to not spread this disease including social distancing. We all must protect those who are most vulnerable,” Scott Co. health officer, Dr. R. Kevin Rogers said.

The Indiana State Department of Health reported 76 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Sunday. The state’s total number of cases is now at least 201 positive cases. 

According to Washington County Health Department Nurse Alicia Thompson, the epidemiology report is on for the confirmed case of Covid-19 in Washington County.

The WCHD earlier confirmed the person had a Scottsburg address but lived in Washington County and is currently a patient at Schneck Memorial Hospital in Seymour.

“After our investigation, it has been determined that our positive case has not been in contact with the public other than a few close family members and healthcare workers involved in the case,” said Thompson.

WCHD is working closely with the local and state officials as well as Scheck Memorial and Scott County Health Department to ensure that contacts of the patient are identified and monitored and that all infection control protocols are being followed.

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb issues a public health emergency declaration that calls on state agencies to continue their diligence and cooperation in responding to Covid-19 and ensures that Indiana can seek funding to control and stop the spread of Covid-19.

Continue to listen to WSLM 97.9 FM and WSLM 1220 AM for top and bottom of the hour news updates from local, state and national news and check the https://www.facebook.com/Kentuckiana-Covid-19-Information-101594311478507/?modal=admin_todo_tour page. 

The Washington County Health Department announced just now the first presumptive case of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in Washington County. 

Currently, there is a patient at Schneck Memorial Hospital in Seymour that tested positive for Covid-19 last night. 

The patient has a Scottsburg, IN address but lives in Washington County. 

The patient is currently hospitalized. No additional information about the patient will be released due to privacy laws. 

WCHD is working closely with the local and state officials as well as Scheck Memorial and Scott County Health Department to ensure that contacts of the patient are identified and monitored and that all infection control protocols are being followed.

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb issues a public health emergency declaration that calls on state agencies to continue their diligence and cooperation in responding to Covid-19 and ensures that Indiana can seek funding to control and stop the spread of Covid-19.

Continue to listen to WSLM 97.9 FM and WSLM 1220 AM for top and bottom of the hour news updates from local, state and national news and check the https://www.facebook.com/Kentuckiana-Covid-19-Information-101594311478507/?modal=admin_todo_tour page. 

The Washington County Health Department is working to confirm a case of Covid-19 locally.

The Indiana State Health Department updated its map this morning showing a single case in Washington County. 

“We were just notified and are trying to take the proper steps per ISDH protocol to make this official,” said Alicia Thompson, RN. 

WSLM will provide more details when they become available. 

As of this morning, ISDH reported 201 total cases of Covid-19 in Indiana with 1,494 people tested. 

Four Hoosiers have died from the virus at the latest count.