Three people were arrested early this morning near 37th and Leeland after leading a Trooper on a short chase.

The incident began when Trooper Casey Witzigreuter attempted to pull over a vehicle near 38th Street and Wallace Avenue.

19 year old Devontai Terrell of Indianapolis was arrested along with two juveniles (17 and 16 years old).

All three now face preliminary charges of dealing marijuana, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a handgun without a permit. In addition, the 16 year old driver faces resisting law enforcement charges.

The vehicle continued driving at low speeds, turning south onto Butler Avenue then west onto 37th Street where the vehicle stopped. With assistance from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Trooper Witzigreuter was able to take all three male occupants into custody without incident. 

At one point during the pursuit, one of the occupants allegedly threw a handgun out of the passenger window. That gun was later recovered by officers. During the course of the investigation 19 grams of marijuana was located inside the vehicle along with paraphernalia that led police to believe these suspects were dealing drugs. Also in the car was a bullet resistant vest, an empty gun holster and a large amount of cash.

The charges listed are merely accusations, the case will be reviewed by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office to determine actual charges.

A 1998 graduate of Seymour High School and Seymour, Indiana native retires with 21 years of honorable service from the U.S. Navy.

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Doug M. Reinbold last served as a Navy Pilot/Mq-8 Integrated Transition Team Lead with Commander, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific (CSWP) Nasni, California.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1993 from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.

As a pilot, Reinbold accumulated more than 3,000 hours of flight time in 10 different types of aircraft. He was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal during his time in service.

CHSCWP manages the administrative, operational, and training requirements of more than 3,700 military personnel, and maintenance requirements for more than 150 aircraft, to provide operational commanders with combat-ready HSC.

Reinbold s the son of Marion Reinbold and the late Sandra Reinbold of Seymour, Indiana, and brother of Betsy Reinbold of Bloomington, Indiana.

He is also the husband of Jennifer Reinbold and father of Macy Reinbold and Lucy

Salem High School is planning their homecoming to take place next Friday night, Sept. 29 during the Varsity game against Eastern High School. 

Candidates are: 

Front row, Seniors: Cameron Morris, Kailee Akers, Lexi Humphrey, Garrett Wiseman. Second row, Juniors: Evan Shelby, Aspen White, Sydney Roll, Jesus Garcia-Sales. Third row, Sophomores: Brandon Carroll, Kylie Brown, Leah Miller, Shane Mahuron. Fourth row, Freshmen: Peyton Arthur, Addison Bundy, Bailey Hypes, Reese McCoskey. 

 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.