Yesterday evening, April 9, 2024, Detectives with the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post began investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred in North Vernon, Indiana.

The initial investigation indicated that shortly after 7:00 pm, Officers with the North Vernon Police Department and Jennings County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance at an address on Thomas Street in North Vernon, Indiana.

Upon arriving at the residence, the officers encountered a 23-year-old female, Rachel Blake, inside a bathroom of the home. 

Blake was holding a large knife. 

The officers repeatedly told her to drop the knife and they also used electronic control weapons (tasers) in an attempt to disarm her. 

She soon advanced towards the officers with the knife. 

Two officers from the North Vernon Police Department fired their issued handguns, striking Blake at least once.

Officers immediately began administering first aid to her. 

EMS was immediately called to the scene to provide advanced medical treatment.

Blake was soon pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jennings County Coroner’s Office.

The North Vernon Police Department and Jennings County Sheriff’s Office requested Indiana State Police Investigators respond to the scene to conduct the investigation.

All involved officers have been placed on administrative leave per their department policies.

The investigation is ongoing.  At the conclusion of the investigation, the case will be presented to the Jennings County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

 Rachel Blake’s family has been notified.        

Detectives with the Indiana State Police in Sellersburg are investigating an apparent “road rage” stabbing off I-65.

Around 10:45 Saturday morning, 911 dispatch learned of a possible road rage incident between the drivers of a purple Freightliner semi and a white Volvo semi and trailer. 

The two semi-trucks were reportedly passing and “break checking” each other on I-65 northbound a few miles south of the Henryville exit. 

A short time later, ISP troopers responded to the northbound rest area near the 22 mile marker when it was reported one of the drivers pulled into the rest park after being stabbed.

Once at the scene, officers immediately called for a medical helicopter to transport the driver to University Hospital in Louisville for stab wounds. 

Officers identified the driver as Daniel Andrews of Springfield, Missouri.  

Troopers also learned the description of the other truck and driver allegedly involved in the incident. 

Scottsburg City officers stopped that vehicle a short time later. 

The second driver was identified as Lyndon Smith of Gadsden, Alabama.

After the initial investigation, detectives believe that both drivers pulled off at the northbound Henryville on-ramp and were involved in a physical altercation. 

As a result of the investigation, detectives arrested Lyndon Smith for False Informing, a class A misdemeanor.  Smith was driving the white Volvo semi pulling a white trailer. 

ISP detectives arrested Daniel Andrews after his release from the hospital.  Andrews is charged with Battery by means of a Deadly Weapon (level 5 felony), Battery resulting in Bodily Injury (level 6 felony), Criminal Recklessness (level 6 felony), and Aggressive Driving (class A misdemeanor).  Andrews was driving the purple or marron colored Freightliner semi-truck. 

This case is still under investigation, and detectives are asking anyone who may have witnessed the physical altercation to call the Sellersburg Post.  The incident occurred around 10:45 Saturday morning on the ramp from SR 160 to I-65 northbound near the 19 mile marker. 

Anyone who witnessed the physical altercation should contact the Sellersburg Post at (812) 246-5424. 

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor E&B Paving, Inc. is scheduled to close State Road 62 over Toddy’s Branch at two locations on or after Tuesday, April 9, to complete bridge replacement projects in Jefferson County.

Work will take place just east of State Road 250 between N Copeland Ridge Rd and N C.R. 325 E and is expected to be complete by early August, weather permitting. Crews will begin to place signage in the area prior to the start of construction. During the closures, motorists should use the official detour route which follows S.R. 129 and U.S. 421.

These projects are part of a $6.2 million contract awarded to E&B Paving in February 2023. The contract includes a total of five district bridge projects. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.