October 17, 2019, at approximately 2:45 p.m., Indiana State Police dispatch advised information of a dark passenger car traveling westbound near the 18-mile marker, that was reportedly driving erratic and that had struck a guardrail earlier on Interstate 70.    

Trooper Andrew Mattern observed a passenger vehicle meeting that description near the nine-mile marker westbound.  The vehicle was off the interstate, but was located partially on the shoulder, and partially down an embankment, facing south. 

The vehicle was occupied by an adult male in the driver’s seat and two children in car seats.  Trooper Mattern observed flames and smoke coming from under the vehicle.

Trooper Mattern and Jared Pirtle, of the Vigo County Sheriff’s Department, immediately got the children and the male driver out of the vehicle and Master Trooper Hans Nowak, who had arrived on scene was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher.  

Trooper Mattern spoke to the male driver who was identified as Christopher Mack, age 37, of Indianapolis. 

Further investigation by Trooper Mattern revealed, after administering and failing several standard field sobriety tests that Mack was under the influence of a controlled substance.  Mack refused to submit to a certified chemical test and was transported to an area hospital to receive medical clearance. 

Upon receiving medical clearance, Mack was then taken to the Vigo County jail where he is currently being held.  

The two children were turned over to the Vigo County Department of Child Services and further investigation will be conducted by their department.

Assisting Agencies:  Several Putnamville State Police Troopers, Vigo County Sheriff’s Department, Vigo County Department of Child Services, Terre Haute Fire Department and Lambert’s towing service.

Arrested and Charges:  Christopher Mack, 37, Indianapolis, IN 

• Operating a Vehicle while intoxicated with a passenger less than 18 years of age, Class 6 Felony (2 counts)
• Neglect of a dependent, Class 6 Felony (2 counts)
• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, Class A Misdemeanor
• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, Class C Misdemeanor 
• Driving While Suspended (Prior), Class A Misdemeanor
• Criminal Mischief, Class A Misdemeanor 

Sneezing Cause of Roll Over

Yesterday morning a fit of sneezing and coughing caused a truck driver to lose control of his semi and rollover.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Clay McBride showed at approximately 11:00 a.m., yesterday, Thursday, October 17, 2019, a 2018 Freightliner semi pulling a box trailer, owned by Semo Express out of Sikeston, Missouri, and driven by Steven Baker Junior, 47 of East Prairie, Missouri, was exiting from I-80/94 eastbound to Indianapolis Boulevard northbound when he lost control. 

Baker stated he became distracted by a spell of sneezes and coughs when he opened his eyes he thought he saw a passenger car next to him which caused him to swerve to avoid it.

The Freightliner left the roadway and Baker felt his trailer (loaded with 30,000 pounds of aluminum) to sway.  The semi overturned onto its driver’s side and it came to rest in the right lane of Indianapolis Boulevard northbound.

Baker (who was wearing his seat belt) was entrapped and had to be extricated from the semi by Good Samaritans and was transported to North Lake Hospital in Gary with non-life threatening injuries.

The semi-trailer had to be off-loaded before it could be up righted.  The crash site was re-opened at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Assisting: Hammond Fire, EMS and Civil Service and Bert’s Towing. 

Yesterday (10/15) a trooper’s training and quick actions helped save a woman who was choking at a local restaurant. Senior Trooper Scott Keegan, who is an Indiana State Police Firearms Instructor, was in his range clothes for training yesterday when he stopped for lunch at the Hacienda Vieja Restaurant in Pendleton.

Around 12:15 p.m. Keegan was eating his lunch when he noticed that an elderly female had approached the serving staff.  The server, knowing Keegan was a trooper, gestured to him that the 75 year old woman was choking.  Keegan’s training kicked in and he immediately took action delivering back blows then an abdominal thrust to the woman, clearing her airway.

After catching her breath, the woman was able to speak with Keegan before resuming her meal. Keegan credits his yearly First Aid and Tac-Med Training in helping to prepare him for situations like this one. “I’m glad that the staff knew who I was and knew that I could help. I’m thankful I could assist.” This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of troopers living and participating in the communities they serve. As the old saying goes, “An Indiana State Trooper is never off duty.”

The Indiana State Police has begun a death investigation after human skeletal remains were found in a wooded area in Dearborn County. 

On Sunday, October 13, an individual contacted law enforcement after he observed human remains while walking in a heavily wooded area near Lawrenceburg, Indiana.  On Monday, October 14 and Tuesday, October 15, Investigators from the Indiana State Police and University of Indianapolis forensic anthropologists conducted an additional search of the area. During that search, investigators located additional remains that are believed to be of the same person.

Through dental records, it was determined the remains belong to Josh Batchelor.  The Indiana State Police had been conducting a missing person investigation into the disappearance of Batchelor, who was last seen in May of 2017.

The investigation into Batchelor’s death is ongoing at this time.

Josh Batchelor’s family has been notified.

The Indiana State Police has been assisted by numerous local law enforcement agencies, Dearborn County Coroner’s Office, Dearborn County Prosecutor’s Office, and the University of Indianapolis Forensic Anthropologists.

Police are investigating after a baby was found in a plastic bag a short distance off a road in Seymour, according to the Seymour Police Department.

Just before 4 p.m. Tuesday, a person walking their dog in the 600 blocks of South Jackson Park Drive noticed a baby in a plastic bag alongside a fence about 20 yards off the roadway.

Police arrived to find that the baby was still alive.

Jackson County EMS took the baby to the Schneck Medical Center for treatment. The baby, which appeared to be Latino in origin, was healthy. 

An investigation into the situation is ongoing.

Police want to remind the community that a Safe Haven Baby Box is located at Seymour Fire Station 3, at 605 Meadowbrook Drive.

Safe Haven Baby Boxes allow individuals to surrender newborn babies safely. When the box is opened, a 911 call goes out and an alarm is sounded. When the door shuts, the box is locked, and only fire and medical personnel can retrieve the child.