At approximately 3:50 p.m. this afternoon officer, firefighters, and first responders were called to the 233-mile marker of I-69 for a report of a car off the west side of the road into a tree. 

Daleville officers and firefighters arrived to find Dion L. Crittle, age 24, of St. Louis, Missouri walking away from the crash and refusing to stop.

An officer with the help of a firefighter was able to subdue and place Mr. Crittle into handcuffs until they could determine what had happened.

At some point Officers and firefighters noticed Mr. Crittle had become unresponsive on the ground where he was placed and they immediately rendered first aid.

Mr. Crittle was transported to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The exact cause of the death of Mr. Crittle is unknown pending autopsy results. 

The Daleville Police Department has asked the Indiana State Police to conduct an investigation into the incident. 

A preliminary investigation by Detective Ron Halbert and the Indiana State Police – Pendleton Crash Reconstruction Team indicated that a black 2019 Hyundai, being driven by Mr. Crittle was traveling south on the southbound on-ramp to I-69 from S.R. 67.

While traveling southbound Mr. Crittle’s vehicle left the roadway. Once off the roadway the vehicle proceeded through the retaining fence of the interstate and into an open grass field, before striking a tree.

Family notifications have been made. These are all of the facts that are available for release at this time. The investigation remains on-going.

Assisting at the scene were Detective Dave Preston, Trooper Lee Tinch, Trooper John Clawson, Trooper Blake Stephenson, Crash Reconstructionist’ s Senior Trooper Coley McCutcheon and Trooper Mark Hanna, the Daleville Police Department, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, the Delaware County EMS, Daleville Fire Department, the Delaware County Coroner’s Office, as well as Northwest Wrecker Service.

Elected leaders are important to our community. 

Those interested in running for an elected position often have questions about the process and positions. 

Join Purdue Extension and the Washington County Clerk to learn more about elected positions in the county, election processes and ethics, and hear from a panel consisting of Washington County party representatives and a current elected official. 

This program will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Washington County Government Building Meeting Room (806 Martinsburg Rd., Salem). 

RSVP’s are appreciated, but not required, to Purdue Extension – Washington County at 812-883-4601 or dhowellw@purdue.edu. 

Light refreshments will be served at the end of the program.

Duke Energy has increased its winter assistance funding for qualifying Indiana customers who may struggle to pay their winter energy bills.

The company is contributing $650,000 for low-income customer energy assistance through its Helping Hand program this year. In addition, Duke Energy Indiana customers and employees have contributed more than $96,000 through November, and more is expected in December, raising this year’s total energy assistance to approximately $750,000. A portion of the company’s funding is the result of an agreement with the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor.

“We know the winter months can be a hardship for some, and each year our shareholders and customers contribute to help families and individuals who may be struggling to pay their winter energy bills,” said Duke Energy Indiana President Stan Pinegar. “This year, to reach more customers in need, we are increasing our shareholder contribution by $150,000. Last year, we were able to help more than 3,700 Hoosiers who needed assistance in paying their electricity bills.”

Duke Energy works with the Indiana Community Action Association and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s Energy Assistance Program, which determines eligibility and distributes the company’s assistance funds.

“Our clients are most vulnerable during the winter, and no one should be left in the cold,” said Elaine Zeider, manager of Family Services for the Area Five Agency on Aging and Community Services. “For years we’ve used Duke Energy’s Helping Hand funds to keep Hoosiers warm and relieve some of the stress of winter bills.”

For more information on the Helping Hand program, including eligibility for funds, participating agencies and how to make a donation, visit duke-energy.com/community/customer-assistance-programs/helping-hand.

Winter Energy Saving Tips

Reduce your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting when home, and bump the thermostat down a degree or two when leaving home.

One of the easiest things customers can do to support heating efficiency is to change air filters regularly. A dirty air filter makes a heating system work harder, which

uses more energy.

Leave drapes or blinds open during sunny winter days to allow the sun’s rays to warm the house, but close them at night to help insulate your home.

For more information on how to cut costs and stay warm this winter, visit duke-energy.com/home/savings/winter-heating-energy-savings. Duke Energy also offers energy efficiency products, services and information to help customers save energy and money. For more information, visit duke-energy.com

On 11/25/2019, Madison Correctional Facility (MCU) Office of Investigations and Intelligence conducted an investigation into contraband being left at an offender work site. The contraband was intended to be brought back into the correctional facility by offenders at the worksite.

The investigation determined that Destiny Boyd of Indianapolis and Quanii Williams of Indianapolis worked together in an attempt to traffick the contraband back into the facility via worksite offenders.

A warrant was issued and both parties were arrested on 1 count of Trafficking with an inmate outside a facility, Class A Misdemeanors on 11/25/2019.

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