Indiana State Police Commercial Motor Vehicle Officers and Motor Carriers Inspectors will be participating in a statewide blitz September 24-30 that will concentrate on Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) seatbelt enforcement and education.

A goal for the Indiana State Police Commercial Motor Vehicle Division is to reduce the number of CMV crashes, which will also lower the number of injuries and fatalities related to those crashes. Education is a key component of this effort as troopers continue to emphasize to commercial vehicle carrier companies, their drivers and the drivers of passenger cars about the importance of voluntary compliance with seatbelt and traffic laws.  It is an undisputed fact that proper seatbelt use reduces the possibility of injury or death the result of a crash.

Specific to commercial vehicle drivers, some operators are not properly wearing their seatbelt.  “Unfortunately, we are finding – more often than not – that many CMV drivers are using a device on the shoulder strap portion of the safety belt that is designed to reduce tension on the shoulder,” stated Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division Commander Major Jon Smithers. “The loosening of the shoulder strap can compromise the effectiveness of the safety belt and is also in violation of the Indiana seatbelt law and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.”

Through continued education and enforcement of Indiana’s seatbelt laws, lives can be saved.  While our stated goal is voluntary compliance, in those situations where a traffic ticket is warranted, commercial vehicle operators will be cited for seatbelt violations.

It is important to note that semi-tractors do not have any type of air bag safety system installed within the cab of the truck, as compared to airbag systems installed in modern passenger cars and pick-up trucks. Unsecured commercial truck drivers involved in crashes can be thrown out of the driver’s seat resulting in a secondary crash when the truck is not brought to a controlled stop.

More information on the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division can be found at www.in.gov/isp.  Click on the link “Commercial Vehicles.”  

Safety Belt Facts and Tips:

Safety belts are proven to help drivers maintain control of the vehicle when involved in a crash, thus minimizing the chance of injury or death to you, your passengers, and other motorists.

Safety belts can prevent you from being knocked unconscious in a crash, improving your chances of escape from a burning or submerged vehicle.

You are four times more likely to be fatally injured when thrown from your vehicle the result of a crash. Your safety belt can keep you from being ejected.

Driver error, severe weather, mechanical failure, and tire blowouts can all cause crashes. Safety belts prevent injuries by protecting your head and spinal cord.

Safety belts are necessary even at low speeds. In a frontal collision at 30 mph, an unbelted commercial vehicle driver hits the windshield at that speed.

Seat, lap, and shoulder belts can be easily adjusted to fit comfortably and correctly.

Buckling up takes only about three seconds and can make a difference for a lifetime.

Today, a criminal investigation by Indiana State Police Detective Josh Maller has resulted in the arrest of Joshua B. Stam, 26, Columbus, IN. Stam was served a Miami Circuit Court arrest warrant alleging criminal charges for attempted murder, aggravated battery, attempted escape, and battery resulting in bodily injury to a public safety officer.  

The warrant was served by Indiana State Police Trooper Tom Hanks, at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility, where Stam is currently incarcerated.

On August 30, 2017, Stam, who was an inmate at the Miami Correctional Facility, near Bunker Hill, IN, was being transported back to the prison after having a court appearance in Decatur County, IN.  

As the transport car approached the prison, Stam was able to free himself from the handcuffs he was wearing and allegedly attacked Decatur County Sheriff’s Department Transport Officer David Weakley. Stam purportedly choked the officer and attempted to take his department issued handgun from the holster.  

As the inmate was getting the upper hand on the officer, a passerby witnessed the struggle, and alerted two Indiana Department of Correction auto maintenance employees, who were working in a nearby  building.

The two employees ran to the officer’s aid, stopping the alleged attack, and preventing Stam from escaping. Officer Weakley was transported to a Peru hospital with non-life threatening injuries.  Stam was transferred to the segregation unit at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility.

A 57-year-old Seymour man passed away yesterday as the result of injuries from a crash on Saturday.

James S. Hinton, age 57, Seymour, died at an Indianapolis area hospital Monday.

On Saturday, at approximately 1:00 pm, the Indiana State Police and Seymour Police Department responded to a two vehicle crash at the intersection of US 50 and US 31, just east of Seymour. 

The initial investigation by Trooper Matt Holley, Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Team, indicates that a black 1998 Jeep Cherokee, being driven by Justin L. Gudgel, age 19, Seymour, Indiana was traveling eastbound on US 50 at the intersection with US 31.  Gudgel’s vehicle was in the left turn lane to turn northbound on US 31.  

Gudgel then turned northbound into the path of a silver 1999 Chevrolet Camaro, being driven by Hinton, who was traveling westbound on US 50.

The vehicles collided in the middle of the intersection. 

As a result of the collision, Hinton’s vehicle went off the roadway and down an embankment before coming to rest. 

Gudgel’s vehicle came to rest in the intersection.  Gudgel was uninjured in the crash. 

Hinton sustain numerous injuries in the collision.  He was airlifted from the scene to an Indianapolis area hospital for treatment.

The investigation by the Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Team is ongoing.  Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be factors in the crash at this time although toxicology results are pending at this time.

Trooper Matt Holley was assisted at the scene by the Seymour Police Department, Jackson County EMS, Seymour Fire Department, and Lifeline Medical Helicopter. 

Troopers from the Indiana State Police Versailles Post will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint at an undisclosed location in Jennings County on September 21st, 2017.  

Those drivers passing through the checkpoint area should have their licenses and registrations ready to present to troopers and will only be detained briefly while troopers determine whether further investigation is necessary. 

The purpose of sobriety checkpoints is to remove those motorists from the highways who are alcohol or drug impaired and pose a danger to all who use the roadways.  Impaired drivers are responsible for billions of dollars in property damage, person injury, and death annually.   

To help to ensure your weekend is safe and enjoyable, observe the following tips:

• Plan ahead and always use a designated driver.
• Don’t get behind the wheel of a vehicle if you’ve been consuming alcoholic beverages; call a taxi, a family member, or friend who has not been drinking to give you a ride.
• If you are hosting a party, always offer alcohol-free beverages and make sure all of your guests leave with a sober driver or allow them to spend the night.
• Remember, Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk.  Take the keys and never let a friend leave your sight if you think that they are about to drive while impaired.

If you see a vehicle exhibiting erratic driving behavior, call 911 and give a complete description of the vehicle, its location, and direction of travel.  These reports can be made anonymously.

The Indiana State Police is investigating a crash involving a motorcycle which occurred late last night on US 30 between 500 E and 600 E that resulted in the death of a 43 year old woman from Cromwell.

The investigation conducted by Trooper Jeremy Brice indicated at approximately 10:00 p.m., a 2012 Harley Davidson motorcycle operated by Micheal S. Miller, 40 of Cromwell was traveling westbound on US 30 in the right lane.  Miller may have been trying to change lanes, which were uneven due to roadwork, when the motorcycle crashed.

As a result of the crash, the passenger on the motorcycle Mari L. Miller, 43 of Cromwell was thrown into the roadway and was struck by a passing vehicle.  She was pronounced dead at the scene.  Mr. Miller was transported to Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne and his condition is not known at this time. 

The westbound lanes of US 30 were closed until this morning at approximately 1:30 a.m. while Brice and State Police reconstructionists conducted their on-scene investigation.  Brice was assisted by the Whitley County Sheriff Department, Columbia City Police Department, Union Township Fire Department and Parkview EMS.

This morning at 10:30, Indiana State Police Trooper James Tret spotted a gold 2004 Kia Sedan traveling at 107 miles-per-hour, eastbound on Interstate 70 near the 21 mile marker.

Senior Trooper Bill Bradbury was patrolling eastbound near the 23mm, when suddenly the vehicle approached the rear of Trooper Bradbury. The vehicle was stopped and during conversation with the driver, S/Trooper Bradbury noticed the smell of what appeared to be Marijuana.

Further search of the vehicle yielded a loaded .45 caliber semi-auto handgun near the driver’s seat and a loaded .32 caliber revolver in a duffle bag near the rear seat area. Less than one gram of suspected Marijuana was found.  

The driver was identified as 26-year-old Raymone L. Melton of Terre Haute, IN. He was immediately taken into custody and was somewhat uncooperative. During transportation to the Clay County Jail, the handcuffed Melton attempted several times to remove his seatbelt and unlock the door of Bradbury’s police commission.  

Melton was preliminarily charged with Possession of Handgun by a Serious Violent Felon, Possession of a Handgun without a License, Resisting Law Enforcement, and Possession of Marijuana. 

The case was investigated by ISP S/Tpr. Bill Bradbury. Assisting were Tpr. James Tret, Master Trooper Don Farris, Trooper Ryan Winters, Clay County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit, and the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office. 

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

On Friday, September 15, 2017, at approximately 9:45 pm, the Indiana State Police and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department responded to a two vehicle crash on US 421 near Old State Road 62 near Madison, Indiana that claimed the life of a Madison man.

The initial investigation by Trooper Andrew Garrett, Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Team, determined that a gold 2010 Ford Fusion being driven by Kelly Gilles, age 24, Madison, Indiana was traveling northbound on US 421 at Old State Road 62.  Gilles’ vehicle struck the rear of a 2006 Roketa motor driven cycle being driven by Justin George, age 37, Madison, Indiana that was also traveling northbound on US 421.

As a result of the collision, George was thrown from the vehicle and sustained fatal injuries in the collision.  George was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.  Gilles was not injured in the crash.

Toxicology results are pending in this investigation at this time.  It is unknown if drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

The investigation is ongoing.

This evening at 6:30, an alert Indiana State Police Trooper from the Putnamville Post noticed a blue 1998 Ford Ranger abandoned on the westbound shoulder of Interstate 70 near the 35 mile marker.

Larry Joseph Woods, age 45, of Terre Haute, IN. and Samuel Eugene Crowther, age 48, of Terre Haute, IN. were both preliminarily charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Theft, Possession of Ginseng without Permission, and Possession of Paraphernalia. 

Troopers recovered under three grams of methamphetamine, methamphetamine smoking devices, and approximately a quart size or slightly larger bag containing Ginseng. 

This was the third time in approximately four weeks the trooper noticed the same vehicle abandoned on the shoulder in a two to three mile section of the interstate. Each time he would check the area, the trooper was unable to locate anyone. 

However, this evening was an exception. After securing assistance from another nearby trooper, the officers located two males approximately one-half mile into the wooded area that were smoking methamphetamine and illegally hunting Ginseng.

The suspects were taken into custody without incident and incarcerated in the Putnam County Jail with assistance from Putnam County Sheriff’s deputies.