While the investigation into the fatal crash which claimed the life of Indiana State Police Trooper Peter R. Stephan continues, the following information is being made available.

An account has been established through Old National Bank to accept monetary donations on behalf of the family of Trooper Peter R. Stephan.  This is the only account that has been agreed upon by the family, and the opening of additional fundraising accounts is discouraged.

Those wishing to make a donation may do so at any Old National Bank branch under the name:

Indiana Fallen Heroes Foundation/Peter Stephan

The Indiana State Police is mourning the loss of one of its own after a single-vehicle crash late last night on Old State Road 25 near Stair Road. The crash claimed the life of Trooper Stephan, 27, Lafayette, IN, who served with the Indiana State Police Department for four years.

The preliminary investigation by Indiana State Police Sergeant Rick Brown indicates at approximately 10:25 p.m., Trooper Stephan was traveling northbound on Old State Road 25, south of Stair Road, when his 2018 Dodge Charger police car entered a curve. For an undetermined reason, the Dodge left the east side of the roadway, rolled at least one time and struck a utility pole.  Trooper Stephan was going to help another trooper who had called for assistance in Americus prior to the crash.

As a result of the crash, Trooper Stephan suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Trooper Stephan is survived by his wife and six-month-old daughter.  Family notifications have been made.

“This is a tremendously sad day for the entire Indiana State Police family.  We will band together as we always do in support of Trooper Stephan’s family, friends and co-workers”, said Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter.

The Indiana State Police was assisted at the scene by the Tippecanoe County Sheriff Department, White County Sheriff Department, Tippecanoe County EMS, Lafayette Fire Department, Buck Creek Fire Department, Tipmont REMC and troopers from neighboring Indiana State Police Districts.

Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb has declared the week of October 13-19, 2019 be recognized as Indiana Move Over Week. 

In 1999 Indiana was the first state in the nation to pass such a law requiring motorists to move to an adjacent traffic lane, or reduce their speed by 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit if unable to change lanes safely when driving by an emergency vehicle stopped along the side of the road, such as a police car, fire truck or ambulance. 

Over the years, Indiana’s law has expanded to include stationary towing/recovery, utility service, solid waste haulers, road, street highway maintenance vehicles, as well as a stationary survey or construction vehicles when displaying alternately flashing amber lights.

Indiana’s law was originally crafted and passed as the result of the death of Indiana State Police Trooper Andrew Winzenread, who was killed in April of 1997 while assisting a stranded motorist on I-74 in Dearborn County.  Now, 20 years after Indiana enacted its Move Over Law, every state, with the exception of Hawaii has some form of a move over law. 

To commemorate the week’s designation, The Indiana Towing and Wrecker Association and other interested groups are hosting their second annual Move Over Indiana Day in the parking lot south of the Indiana State Fairgrounds on 38^th Street on Saturday, October 19, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 

This event provides the community an opportunity to meet and speak with professionals from the varying occupations for whom Indiana’s Move Over Law benefits the most.  The event will also include a “Touch a Truck” for children featuring vehicles covered by the Move Over Law.

To learn more about Move Over Laws in other states, please visit: https://www.moveoveramerica.com/  

On 10-13-2019 at approximately 2:30 am, the Indiana State Police responded to a structure fire within the city limits of Tell City. 

Tell City Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire. 

The Indiana State Fire Marshall’s Office was contacted to conduct an investigation into the cause and origin of the blaze.

The Indiana State Police were assisted at the scene by the Tell City Police Department and Tell City Fire Department.

Early this morning, the Indiana State Police investigated a single-vehicle crash on State Road 3 in Jennings County that claimed the life of both occupants.

The initial investigation by Trooper Andrew Garrett, Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team, indicated that a gray 2005 Toyota Scion, being driven by David T. Seropian, age 20, Scottsburg, Indiana was traveling southbound on State Road 3 near County Road 650 South.  The vehicle left the east side of the roadway before striking a tree and overturning. 

As a result of the crash, Seropian was ejected from the vehicle and sustained fatal injuries in the collision.  A passenger in Seropian’s vehicle, Shaylla Jones, age 21, Scottsburg, Indiana also sustained fatal injuries in the collision.  Both Seropian and Jones were pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jennings County Coroner’s Office.

The investigation further indicated that Seropian may have swerved to avoid a deer that was in the roadway.  Investigators believe that speed was also a contributing factor in the crash. 

Alcohol is not believed to be a factor although toxicology results are pending at this time.

The investigation is ongoing.

The families of Seropian and Jones were both notified.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office, Lovett Township Fire Department, Jennings County EMS, Jennings County Coroner’s Office, and Clark’s Towing.

Yesterday, October 7^th, at approximately 6:30 pm, the Indiana State Police investigated a crash involving an overturned semi on I-65 near Crothersville, Indiana which resulted in the arrest of the driver and passenger of the vehicle at the scene.

The investigation by Troopers Derek Eggers and Randel Miller indicated that a white 2017 Kenworth truck pulling a trailer, being driven by Torris D. Robinson, age 40, Anniston, Alabama was traveling southbound on I-65 near the 41-mile marker in Jackson County. 

The vehicle left the west side of the interstate before overturning and coming to rest on its side.

Neither Robinson nor a passenger in the vehicle, Mary E. Thomson, age 38, Anniston, Alabama was injured in the collision. 

Trooper Eggers began an investigation after Robinson showed signs of being intoxicated. 

Robinson was transported to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, Indiana for further investigation. 

While at the hospital, Robinson spit on a hospital employee. 

Robinson was ultimately arrested on charges of Operating While Intoxicated, Operating While Intoxicated-Endangerment, and Battery by Bodily Waste. 

Toxicology results are pending against Robinson at this time.

Thompson showed signs of intoxication at the scene. 

She became belligerent and then resisted arrest. 

Thompson was arrested on charges of Public Intoxication and Resisting Law Enforcement.

Both Robinson and Thompson were incarcerated in the Jackson County Jail pending their initial court appearances. 

I-65 was restricted to one lane through the area for nearly five hours for crash investigation and cleanup.  The cleanup involved removing the load of tires from the trailer prior to it being uprighted.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Crothersville Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Jackson County EMS, Vernon Township Fire Department, and 31 Wrecker Service.

Captain Carl Lamb, of the Seymour Police Department, has been placed on paid administrative leave, pending an Indiana State Police investigation, involving allegations of ghost employment and official misconduct.

Captain Carl Lamb will be on paid administrative leave until the completion of the investigation.

An internal investigation will follow upon completion of the Indiana State Police investigation.