Earlier this evening, just after six o’clock, emergency crews were called to the scene of a motorcycle crash on I-465 northbound near I-70 on the city’s east side. 911 callers were reporting a male was seriously injured and unconscious. When first responders arrived they found 67 year old William Brown of Indianapolis unresponsive, he was transported Eskenazi Hospital in critical condition. Mr. Brown was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. 

Trooper Christopher Cannon, the investigating officer, believes the motorcyclist started to swerve back and forth before losing control and laying the motorcycle on it’s side. Mr. Brown was not wearing a helmet and there were no other vehicles involved in the crash. Troopers don’t believe alcohol was a factor however standard protocol with all fatal crashes includes a blood test for intoxication, those results are not immediately available. 

A two-vehicle crash occurred in Ripley County near Versailles on US 421.

On June 14, 2019, at approximately 3:30 pm an Indiana State Police Crash Reconstructionist responded to a report on an injury crash involving two vehicles on US 421 south of County Road 1050 South in Ripley County. 

Trooper Andrew Garrett arrived to find a 2016 Kia Soul and a 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage in the east ditch of US 421.  The preliminary investigation by Garrett shows that the Kia Soul was traveling southbound and was attempting to pass another vehicle.  The Kia Soul was driven by Shannon Hubbard, age 50 of Pekin Indiana.  The Mitsubishi Mirage was traveling northbound and could not avoid a collision with the Kia Soul, which was in the northbound lane.  The Mitsubishi Mirage was driven by Henry Finney, age 21 of Madison Indiana. 

Henry Finney was transported, via ambulance, to King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison where he succumbed to his injuries.  Shannon Hubbard was also transported, via ambulance, to King’s Daughters’ Hospital.  Ms. Hubbard was then transported, via lifeline helicopter, to The University of Cincinnati Hospital.  Ms. Hubbard was in serious but stable condition. 

It is believed that both drivers were wearing their seatbelts.  Drugs and or alcohol are not believed to be a contributing factor to the crash.  Improper passing and traveling at a high rate of speed are believed to be contributing factors to the crash.

The investigation is ongoing and toxicology results are pending at this time.

Trooper Garrett was assisted at the scene by the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Ripley County EMS, King’s Daughters’ Hospital EMS, Versailles Fire Department, and Affordable Todd’s Wrecker Service.

On Thursday, June 13, 2019, Troopers Cameron Collins and Justin Smith arrested a Scottsburg man on a warrant for drugs and also found him in possession of additional drugs upon his arrest.

Leroy Dewayne Whitaker, 52, of 308 N. Meridian Street in Scottsburg was arrested at his residence yesterday after troopers received an arrest warrant as a result of an investigation that began on June 6, 2019. 

During the earlier case, Troopers were granted a search warrant for Whitaker’s residence and located several illegal items including syringes, Oxycodone pills and over 11 grams of suspected methamphetamine. 

During that search, Whitaker was not at his residence, and officers filed for an arrest warrant.

On Thursday, Troopers Collins and Smith made contact with Whitaker at his residence armed with the arrest warrant. 

During the arrest, Leroy Whitaker was found in possession of additional methamphetamine as well as suspected heroin. 

Leroy Whitaker was arrested and transported to the Scott County Jail and is facing the following charges; Possession of Methamphetamine-Level 4 Felony, Unlawful Possession of a syringe – Level 6 Felony, Maintaining a Common Nuisance (two counts) – Level 6 Felony, Possession of Schedule I Drug (Heroin) – Level 6 Felony, Possession of Schedule II Drug (Oxycodone) – Level 6 Felony, and Possession of Paraphernalia – A Misdemeanor. 

The Indiana State Police are requesting any information on the whereabouts of Dakota Ray Fessel.

Dakota Ray Fessel, a 25-year-old white male 5′ 9″ 190lbs with brown hair and hazel eyes, was last seen in Corydon Indiana on June 8, 2019.

He is possibly driving a light blue 2005 Dodge Caravan with an Indiana license plate 558RHM.

The van has a large dent in the passenger side door.

If you have any information please contact Trooper Justin Geltmaker with the ISP Sellersburg post at 812-246-5424.

A Borden man reported missing by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday was found dead Sunday morning.

According to Col. Scott Maples, 23-year-old Evan Hollkamp was found dead in “a densely wooded area in close proximity to his residence.” 

He had gone on a walk with his dog, who remained by him until he was found. 

“At this time no foul play is suspected, but the investigation is still ongoing,” Maples said. “No further details can be released at this time.”

A large group of friends and family had gathered this weekend to search the area. 

Police did not say who found Hollkamp or how he passed away. 

The sheriff’s office said Hollkamp was last seen at 2 p.m. Friday in Borden, Indiana.

Following a two month investigation, Indiana State Police Detectives Brock Werne and Tobias Odom have arrested Nathan Stewart, 63, Princeton for: 

Possession of Child Pornography With an Aggravating Factor, IC 35-42-4-4(d), Level 5 Felony 

During the course of their investigation, Detectives Werne and Odom were issued a search warrant from the Gibson County Superior Court for Stewart’s electronic device/s, subsequently resulting in thousands of child pornographic images being located. 

Earlier today, an arrest warrant was issued for Stewart and he was immediately taken into custody by Detectives Werne and Odom. Stewart is currently incarcerated at the Gibson County Jail with a 12,500.00 Surety Bond. 

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

June 14, 2019, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Indiana State Trooper Ian Portteus was patrolling near Locust Street, in Terre Haute.

While doing so, he observed a white Chevrolet passenger vehicle traveling above the posted speed limit going north on 9th Street.  Trooper Portteus also observed the vehicle disregard a stop sign.

He attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the male driver of the passenger vehicle accelerated and a pursuit ensued.

The white passenger vehicle continued to accelerate, traveling north on 9th Street.  

During the pursuit, the driver disregarded several traffic signs and traveled above the posted speed limit.  The pursuit traveled approximately 20 miles throughout Terre Haute, before the driver’s vehicle became inoperable, coming to a stop at Maple and 7th Street.  

Once stopped, officers gave loud verbal commands to the driver to exit the vehicle.  The driver ignored these verbal commands and a taser was deployed on the driver, by a deputy of the Vigo County Sheriff’’s Department.  

Upon the deployment of the taser, compliance was received and the driver was taken into custody without further incident. 

Terre Haute Fire Department Medics arrived on the scene a few moments later and provided medical care and transportation to Union Hospital for the driver.

The driver was identified as Bryson M. Bones, 19, of Terre Haute, Indiana.  Trooper Portteus offered Bones the opportunity to submit to a certified chemical test, in which he agreed.  Once Bones was cleared medically, he was taken into custody and was then transported to the Vigo County Jail where he was processed into the jail.

Charges:

• Resisting Law Enforcement in Vehicle, Level 6 Felony
• Resisting Law Enforcement, A Misdemeanor
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Level 6 Felony
• Driving While Suspended, A Misdemeanor

Assisting:  Troopers Rondell Shelton, Courtland Woodruff, Brad Fyfe and David Cox, Vigo County Sheriff’s Department, Terre Haute City Police Department, Terre Haute Fire Department Medics and Lambert’s Wrecker Service.  

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

19 Washington County girls will be featured in the Miss Washington County Teen and Queen Pageant’s this weekend — Friday and Sunday nights at 7p at the Salem Middle School.

These events, along with the annual parade, baby contest and horseshoe pitching contest – kick off the 2019 Washington County Fair. 

Friday’s night’s Teen event kicks off at 7p. 

Admission is $7 for adults and $4 for children 6-12. 

This is the 60th Annual Queen Pageant and will be celebrated by a past queen luncheon on Saturday afternoon at Christie’s on the Square. 

According to Pageant Coordinator Becky Deweese there are 8 contestants for the teen pageant and 11 Queen candidates. 

Miss Washington County Teen Candidates

The Queen Pageant begins at 7p Sunday night at the Salem Middle School. Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for children 6-12.

Girls in both contests will have coffee containers at the event for the public to “vote” by donating money for a “People’s Choice” winner. 

Each winner for the Teen and Queen will receive half the money in her container. The rest of the proceeds will go to the pageant organization to fund items for next year’s pageants and also for various items for this year’s court. 

Washington County Queen Candidates

Other events this weekend —