Yesterday at approximately 7:03 p.m., officers from the Indiana State Police and the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department responded to a vehicle-pedestrian crash on State Road 15 near Wabash County Road 1050 South.

The preliminary crash investigation by Trooper Jeremy Perez revealed that Cindy Bowsher, 49, Spencerville, OH was driving a 2005 MCIN charter bus southbound on State Road 15 near County Road north of County Road 1050 South. James D. Gulley, 41, Lafontaine, IN was walking on State Road 15 when he was struck by the bus. It is yet to be determined if Gulley was in the road or walking on the shoulder.

Gulley was pronounced deceased at the scene. Bowsher, nor any passengers on the bus, were injured.

Bowsher was driving for Buckeye Charter Service Inc. A second charter bus was called to the scene to off load the passengers.

The crash is still under investigation.

Trooper Perez was assisted by Trooper Matt Moon..

According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, a 22-year-old Pekin man is in jail after a drunk driving accident Sunday afternoon on Farabee Road that sent one pedestrian to the hospital via air ambulance. 

Justin Anthony Cartwright, 22, Pekin was arrested and jailed on the following charges:

• Operating While Intoxicated
• Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated With a Prior
• Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Catastrophic Injury
• (2) Counts of Neglect of Dependent
  

The Washington County Sheriffs Department received the 911 call at approximately 5:51p regarding a motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian on Farabee Road, near Eastern School Road.

Deputies arrived on the scene and began gathering evidence and witness statements.

Deputies were able to determine that a passenger vehicle, driven by Cartwright was traveling west on Farabee Road, when he struck a pedestrian, Tiffany LaPointe, age 32 of Salem, Indiana, who was crossing Farabee Road, walking from a church parking area to the Blue River Baptist Church.

Due to injuries caused by the accident, LaPointe was airlifted from the scene and transported to the University of Louisville Hospital, where her condition is still being determined.

Further investigation led to Cartwright’s arrest. He is being held at the Washington County Detention Center.

The accident is still under investigation and is being investigated by Deputy Abby Powers and Detective Brad Naugle.

Also assisting were Deputy Tory Hildreth, Reserve Officer Dan Libka, Washington County EMS and First Responders from Pierce/Polk Volunteer Fire Department.

The incident is still under investigation and more charges could be filed. 

All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

106 – Mason Jones’s place is 5th and has scored 17.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Mason Jones (West Washington) 16-7 won by forfeit over Forfeit Forfeit (Borden) 0-2 (For.)
• Quarterfinal – Henry Lovan (Providence) 19-13 won by major decision over Mason Jones (West Washington) 16-7 (MD 13-0)
• Cons. Round 2 – Mason Jones (West Washington) 16-7 won by forfeit over Forfeit Forfeit (Southwestern (Hanover)) 1-2 (For.)
• Cons. Semi – Mason Jones (West Washington) 16-7 won by forfeit over Forfeit Forfeit () 2-1 (For.)
• 5th Place Match – Mason Jones (West Washington) 16-7 won by fall over Brock Friend (Mitchell) 12-10 (Fall 1:11)

113 – Wyatt Johnston’s place is 5th and has scored 16.5 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Wyatt Johnston (West Washington) 24-5 won by forfeit over forfeit forfeit (Providence) 0-2 (For.)
• Quarterfinal – Isaac Brosmer (Forest Park) 24-6 won by major decision over Wyatt Johnston (West Washington) 24-5 (MD 16-4)
• Cons. Round 2 – Wyatt Johnston (West Washington) 24-5 won by fall over Izabelle Foster (Salem) 12-11 (Fall 0:00)
• Cons. Semi – Wyatt Johnston (West Washington) 24-5 won by fall over Ashton McGinnis (north harrison) 12-12 (Fall 1:07)
• 5th Place Match – Wyatt Johnston (West Washington) 24-5 won by tech fall over Carlos Huerta (Borden) 4-5 (TF-1.5 0:00 (18-2))

120 – Breanna Ray’s place is 8th and has scored 8.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Breanna Ray (West Washington) 6-10 won by forfeit over forfeit forfeit (Silver Creek) 0-2 (For.)
• Quarterfinal – Colin Knox (Charlestown) 26-1 won by fall over Breanna Ray (West Washington) 6-10 (Fall 1:23)
• Cons. Round 2 – Breanna Ray (West Washington) 6-10 won by forfeit over Forfeit Forfeit (Eastern (Pekin)) 1-2 (For.)
• Cons. Semi – Samson Johnson (Paoli) 21-8 won by fall over Breanna Ray (West Washington) 6-10 (Fall 0:00)
• 7th Place Match – Eli Edlin (north harrison) 3-2 won by fall over Breanna Ray (West Washington) 6-10 (Fall 2:10)

126 – forfeit forfeit’s place is unknown.

• Champ. Round 1 – Caleb Saylor (Borden) 8-9 won by forfeit over forfeit forfeit (West Washington) 1-2 (For.)
• Cons. Round 1 – forfeit forfeit (West Washington) 1-2 won by forfeit over forfeit forfeit (Borden) 0-2 (For.)
• Cons. Round 2 – Nathan Teusch (Eastern (Pekin)) 13-12 won by forfeit over forfeit forfeit (West Washington) 1-2 (For.)

132 – forfeit forfeit’s place is unknown.

• Champ. Round 1 – Zane Stotts (Borden) 9-9 won by forfeit over forfeit forfeit (West Washington) 1-2 (For.)
• Cons. Round 1 – forfeit forfeit (West Washington) 1-2 won by forfeit over forfeit forfeit (Scottsburg) 0-2 (For.)
• Cons. Round 2 – Cole Bagshaw (Silver Creek) 7-10 won by forfeit over forfeit forfeit (West Washington) 1-2 (For.)

138 – forfeit forfeit’s place is unknown.

• Champ. Round 1 – Rusty Phillips (Milan) 16-9 won by forfeit over forfeit forfeit (West Washington) 0-2 (For.)
• Cons. Round 1 – Pearce Hubbert (north harrison) 3-10 won by forfeit over forfeit forfeit (West Washington) 0-2 (For.)

145 – Travis Hamilton’s place is unknown and has scored 4.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Travis Hamilton (West Washington) 6-14 won by forfeit over forfeit forfeit (north harrison) 0-2 (For.)
• Quarterfinal – Blake McGlaughlin (Salem) 13-7 won by fall over Travis Hamilton (West Washington) 6-14 (Fall 3:09)
• Cons. Round 2 – Braden Moore (Charlestown) 4-1 won by fall over Travis Hamilton (West Washington) 6-14 (Fall 2:44)

152 – Hunter Pavey’s place is 8th and has scored 7.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Harold Smith (Milan) 14-12 won by fall over Hunter Pavey (West Washington) 11-12 (Fall 1:14)
• Cons. Round 1 – Hunter Pavey (West Washington) 11-12 won by forfeit over forfeit forfeit (Providence) 0-2 (For.)
• Cons. Round 2 – Hunter Pavey (West Washington) 11-12 won by fall over Parker Rhodes (north harrison) 9-17 (Fall 0:00)
• Cons. Semi – Bryce Gentry (Corydon Central) 14-16 won by fall over Hunter Pavey (West Washington) 11-12 (Fall 2:41)
• 7th Place Match – Harold Smith (Milan) 14-12 won by fall over Hunter Pavey (West Washington) 11-12 (Fall 0:51)

160 – Julies Woosley’s place is unknown and has scored 3.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Owen Wilkins (Corydon Central) 5-15 won by fall over Julies Woosley (West Washington) 6-14 (Fall 1:38)
• Cons. Round 1 – Julies Woosley (West Washington) 6-14 won by forfeit over Forfeit Forfeit (Switzerland County) 0-2 (For.)
• Cons. Round 2 – Ryan Adams (Borden) 3-2 won by fall over Julies Woosley (West Washington) 6-14 (Fall 2:14)

170 – Shevan Griffith’s place is unknown and has scored 0.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Mitchell Adcock (Southwestern (Hanover)) 25-5 won by fall over Shevan Griffith (West Washington) 7-10 (Fall 0:00)
• Cons. Round 1 – Jon Drake (Mitchell) 13-11 won by fall over Shevan Griffith (West Washington) 7-10 (Fall 5:53)

182 – Glen Rankin’s place is 3rd and has scored 18.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Glen Rankin (West Washington) 9-6 won by fall over Leo Ye (Forest Park) 1-21 (Fall 0:00)
• Quarterfinal – Glen Rankin (West Washington) 9-6 won by fall over Noah Phelps (north harrison) 22-9 (Fall 0:00)
• Semifinal – Hunter Meridia (Milan) 18-6 won by fall over Glen Rankin (West Washington) 9-6 (Fall 0:37)
• 3rd Place Match – Glen Rankin (West Washington) 9-6 won by major decision over Matthew Douglas (Southwestern (Hanover)) 11-15 (MD 14-4)

195 – Cannon Roop’s place is unknown and has scored 3.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Alec Boggs (Switzerland County) 18-11 won by fall over Cannon Roop (West Washington) 1-2 (Fall 0:00)
• Cons. Round 1 – Cannon Roop (West Washington) 1-2 won by forfeit over forfeit forfeit (Silver Creek) 0-2 (For.)
• Cons. Round 2 – Lucas Nale (Eastern (Pekin)) 8-4 won by fall over Cannon Roop (West Washington) 1-2 (Fall 0:00)

220 – Sammy Lyles’s place is unknown and has scored 3.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Gavan Jones (Eastern (Pekin)) 19-9 won by fall over Sammy Lyles (West Washington) 4-6 (Fall 1:34)
• Cons. Round 1 – Sammy Lyles (West Washington) 4-6 won by forfeit over forfeit forfeit (Providence) 0-2 (For.)
• Cons. Round 2 – Marty Higgins (Paoli) 12-17 won by fall over Sammy Lyles (West Washington) 4-6 (Fall 0:45)

285 – Landon Pearson’s place is 7th and has scored 10.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Brady Myers (Milan) 22-3 won by fall over Landon Pearson (West Washington) 13-8 (Fall 1:28)
• Cons. Round 1 – Landon Pearson (West Washington) 13-8 won by forfeit over forfeit forfeit (Providence) 0-2 (For.)
• Cons. Round 2 – Landon Pearson (West Washington) 13-8 won by fall over Carter Whitker (north harrison) 7-13 (Fall 0:56)
• Cons. Semi – Andrew Banet (Scottsburg) 12-4 won by fall over Landon Pearson (West Washington) 13-8 (Fall 1:30)
• 7th Place Match – Landon Pearson (West Washington) 13-8 won by fall over Austin Ramirez-Wilkerson (Charlestown) 4-7 (Fall 1:56)

Filings continue for the upcoming May 5 Primary Election in Washington County.

Keeley R. Stingel has filed and is certified for the Republican ballot for the 2020 Primary to run for County Council, At-Large seat.  She has also filed and is certified to run for State Convention Delegate on the Republican ballot.

Judith Wiesenauer has filed and is certified to run on the Democratic ballot for State Convention Delegate. 

Other filings: 

• Stephanie K. Rockey, Clerk – Republican
• Shirley Batt, Treasurer – Democrat
• Peg Schell, Coroner – Republican 
• Phillip D. (Phil) Marshall, Commissioner- Dist. 1 – Republican
• Rick Roberts, Commissioner- Dist. 3 – Republican 
• Mark E. (Bubba) Abbott- County Council, At-large – Republican
• Emily Rodman, Surveyor – Republican

A truck inspection this morning by Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED) Trooper Eric Thumb, led to the discovery of a semi-tractor pulling double trailers that were 96,300 pounds overweight. 

CVED Trooper Eric Thumb was driving through Rushville just before 11 a.m. this morning when he noticed a southbound semi pulling double trailers known as a “Michigan Train” southbound on Main St. at Park Blvd.

From his training and experience Thumb knew that the trailer set up is often used to haul overweight loads, with special overweight permits, across northern Indiana. Trooper Thumb got the truck stopped to do an inspection and discovered the driver, Gene Maag, age 36 of Waterloo, Indiana, was driving a truck with no registration plate and no federally required company markings or federal tax numbers on the side of the vehicle.. 

The maximum allowable weight for a commercial motor vehicle in Indiana, without a special permit, is 80,000 pounds. As part of his vehicle inspection Trooper Thumb weighed the truck and its steel coil cargo, discovering a combined weight of 176,300 pounds, or 96,300 pounds over the maximum allowable weight, without a special permit.

The fines for the overweight violation alone are just under $14,000. The truck, a 2000 Peterbilt, which belongs to Tri-State Trucking, out of Waterloo, Indiana, was impounded and the driver cited for the overweight violation and no truck registration. The driver was also issued a warning for no federally required markings or numbers on the sides of the truck. The steel coils, which had been in route from Butler, Indiana to Madison, Indiana were impounded with the truck until they can be properly unloaded and legally loaded onto other trucks.

Part of the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division’s mission is educating and encouraging commercial carriers and drivers in regards to compliance as a way to reduce the potential for dangerous CMV crashes. For more information on the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division you can visit their web site at https://www.in.gov/isp/3183.htm

Troopers from the All Crimes Policing (ACP) Squad in Sellersburg arrested an Otisco couple on multiple charges after a search uncovered suspected methamphetamine and a stolen rifle.  

Trooper Andrew Taylor and other Troopers from the Sellersburg ACP squad received information on possible drug activity at 14602 Gum Corner Road in Otisco, Indiana.

Troopers conducted an investigation which resulted in Trooper Taylor requesting a search warrant for the residence located on that property.

The subsequent search located over 6 ounces of suspected Methamphetamine, a rifle reported stolen out of Clark County, drug paraphernalia, and other items allegedly used for the packaging and distribution of drugs.  

As a result of information gleaned from the investigation and search, the residents, Jinger R. Bilbrey, 32, and Justin L. Whitsitt, 38, were arrested and charged with the following:

1.  Dealing in Methamphetamine – Level 2 Felony
2.  Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 4 Felony
3.  Maintaining a common nuisance – Level 6 felony
4.  Theft of a firearm – Level 6 felony
5.  Possession of paraphernalia – Class A misdemeanor

Both Bilbrey and Whitsitt were transported and remanded into the custody of the Clark County Jail.  

According to documents from the Indiana Department of Transportation, there is one option to improve safety at the intersection of the State Road 60 and the bypass – to build a single-lane roundabout. 

According to INDOT, the reason for the construction is to improve safety concerns at the bypass. 

Doing nothing, which isn’t an option for INDOT, will continue to allow accidents at or near the bypass and add to the 34 accidents already on record.

In fact, another accident just took place the other day – the first in 2020. 

INDOT will host a public hearing this Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at Salem City Hall, 201 East Market Street, Salem, IN 47167.  The hearing will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. to allow the public to view displays and talk with INDOT personnel prior to the hearing. A presentation about the project will begin at 6 p.m.

Verbal statements will be heard during a public comment session immediately following the presentation. Written comments may be submitted prior to the public hearing and within the comment period (by Friday, Jan. 31) to INDOT Public Hearings, IGCN Room N642, 100 N. Senate Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46204, or via email to rclark@indot.in.gov.

The estimated cost of the project which will take approximately 7 months will be $1.6 million. 

According to INDOT, from 2012 to 2017, there have been nine fatalities (or accidents with incapacitating injuries) which is 27 percent out of the 34 accidents. 

According to INDOT, 19 of those crashes were right angle or left-turn crashes. 

Crashes due to these contributing factors can be contributed to the current intersection configuration, according to INDOT documents. 

Local officials and residents have asked for a stoplight at the intersection since the first fatality took place there not long after the bypass opened in 2012.  

The proposed roundabout will have an inscribed circle diameter of 154 feet and will provide a 12-foot wide truck apron and 18-foot wide circulating roadway width. 

Existing guardrails along the southside of the intersection and a portion of the existing guardrail along the north side of SR60 to the east of the bypass will be removed and not replaced. 

A new guardrail will be installed. 

Approximately 17 luminaries will be installed throughout the area to provide adequate lighting. 

Construction is anticipated to begin in Spring 2021 and will last approx. seven months. 

The roundabout will be constructed and utilizing phased construction – furthermore, the Salem Bypass will be closed for the construction while SR 60 remains open to through traffic and vice versa. 

The official Salem Bypass detour will utilize SR 135 through the Town of Salem, SR 56 and US 150, requiring approx. 43.1 mile and 51 minutes of drive time. 

SR 60 will remain open as long as possible through-construction but will be closed to complete curb work. 

The official SR 60 detour will utilize SR 56 and I-65, requiring approx. 38.6 miles and 38 minutes of drive time. 

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“Last year, Hoosier students took the ILEARN exam for the first time. Upon the release of the results, it became clear that there were various issues with the testing process – including the fact that students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP) were denied access to text-to-speech technology for the reading comprehension section of the test.

“I was proud to vote in favor of Senate Bill 2 today because these issues were not the fault of teachers, students or our schools and they should not suffer the consequences of a test that was poorly administered by the Indiana Department of Education.

“My efforts on improving this testing process will not stop here – I will continue to work toward solving the issues that contributed to last year’s poor ILEARN results. To that end, this session I authored Senate Bill 346, which would require the Indiana Department of Education to provide the accommodations specified in each student’s IEP when they take standardized tests.

“I also authored Senate Bill 396, which would create an Education Value-Added Assessment System in order to analyze multiple data points and provide growth measures for students, even though testing transitions like we experienced as Indiana switched from ISTEP to ILEARN.

“Standardized tests should provide all Hoosier students with the opportunity to showcase their abilities, focus on growth, and help their parents and teachers see where they might need extra guidance and support, and I will continue to author and support bills like these in order to make that happen.”

Friday, January 10, 2020, at approximately 4:40 p.m., Trooper Brad Fyfe observed an abandoned passenger vehicle, disabled on State Road 63 near Barnhardt Road, that was partially in the roadway. 

While examining the abandoned vehicle, Trooper Fyfe noticed through the window that the vehicle had a large number of guns and a small generator in the rear seat. 

It was at this time that Trooper Fyfe also observed a male subject, with a gas can, riding a bicycle towards him.  From previous encounters with the subject, he was recognized as Cody W. Doss, age 26, of Terre Haute, IN. 

Arrested and Charges:  Cody W. Doss, 26, Terre Haute

• Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, Level 6 Felony 
• Theft of FireArm, Level 6 Felony  
• Unlawful Possession of a Legend Drug, Felony 6
• Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle, Class A Misdemeanor  
• Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor  

As Doss approached on his bicycle, Trooper Fyfe requested him to stop, but Doss disregarded this request.  Once Trooper Fyfe was able to apprehend Doss, it was discovered that he was in possession of the keys for the abandoned vehicle.  

Trooper Fyfe proceeded to speak to Doss, and detected suspicious activity and criminal indicators. 

A preliminary investigation revealed that, according to Doss, he had an agreement with a woman in regards to using her vehicle as a driving service for her, with financial reimbursement being paid to Doss for this service. 

But further investigation revealed that Doss had failed to return the vehicle back to the rightful owner, and was operating the vehicle without proper authorization from the owner. 

During an inventory of the vehicle, a combination of 15 shotguns/rifles, 3 handguns, a generator, and controlled substances were located.  Doss was taken into custody and was transported to the Vigo County Jail where he is currently being detained.

Anyone that has any information of stolen rifles/shotguns or handguns please contact Trooper Brad Fyfe of the Putnamville State Police Post at 1-800-225-8576.  

Assisting:  Troopers Daniel Organ and Rondell Shelton of the Putnamville State Police Post. 

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.