Spencer County Sheriff
Driver leaves scene of one-vehicle crash
At 11:26 p.m. Thursday, February 4, police responded to the scene of a one-vehicle crash on SR 545 south of CR 1025N. A 2012 Dodge Challenger, registered to Kyle A. Rasche, 28, of Tell City was sitting at the wood line off the west side of the roadway, but there was no driver in sight. Inspecting the crash scene, police determined the vehicle had been southbound when it suddenly left the road, traveled down a small embankment struck a construction sign and several small trees before hitting a larger tree and coming to rest. Rasche contacted the Sheriff’s Office the following day and reported being forced off the road by a red pickup truck. A friend picked him up from the crash scene and Rasche said he was unable to call police. He said he did not seek medical attention, but had blood coming from his ear after the crash. Total damages were estimated between $25,000 and $50,000. A misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident is pending.
Ice storm contributes to crashes
Icy road conditions on Wednesday, February 10, led to a pair of reported crashes on Spencer County roads.
At 4:43 a.m., Nicholas J. Stillwell, 36, of Tell City was northbound on Fulda Shortcut Road. He later told police he attempted to stop for traffic, but his 2008 Cadillac DTS slid into the rear of a 2010 Chrysler Sebring, driven by Brittany M. Bumm, 29, of St. Croix. Neither driver was injured, but Bumm’s Chrysler sustained rear bumper damage, estimated between $1,000 and $2,500.
Then, at 10:25 p.m., Richard D. Mosley, 56, of Rockport was westbound on SR 66, east of CR 500W when, according to witnessed, he lost control of his 2006 Ford Ranger when he attempted to pass two slower-moving vehicles on the icy road. When he returned to his lane of travel, the Ranger spun, struck the ditch and overturned. Mosley suffered a possible broken nose, but refused medical treatment at the scene and was later transported to the hospital by his wife. Total damages were estimated between $5,000 and $10,000.
Snow Storm causes crashes, slide-offs
On Monday, February 15, into Tuesday, February 16, several crashes were reported due to a snow storm.
At 4:14 a.m. Monday, Tara Johnson, of Tell City was northbound on SR 245 near St. Peters Church Road when, she later told police, a southbound 1999 Honda Civic, driven by Myles C. Roach, also of Tell City, entered her lane of travel and collided with her 2005 Ford F-150. No one was injured, but damages were estimated between $10,000 and $25,000. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.
At 6:22 a.m. Tuesday, Joan M. Parks, of Petersburg, was westbound on I-64 when her 2002 Chevy Avalanche slid down an embankment into the median. Parks was not injured, but there was an estimated $2,500-5,000 damage to her vehicle. At 7:50 a.m., Katherine Vandiver, 30, of Tell City was westbound on SR 66 when her 2001 Chevy Silverado encountered a slick spot on the roadway and slid into a guardrail. Vandiver was not injured, but total damages were estimated between $2,500 and $5,000.
At 8:39 p.m., Shelby L. Hurst, of St. Meinrad, was driving on SR 245 near SR 70 at, according to police, a speed too fast for weather conditions. Her 2010 Chrysler Sebring crossed the centerline and traveled down an embankment, getting stuck. According to police, Hurst had an open container of beer and had been “throwing up on herself.” Marijuana and paraphernalia were also located in the vehicle. Hurst was subsequently held and preliminary charges of operating while intoxicated (both alcohol and drugs).
Deer struck
John E. Nugent, of Cannelton, was northbound on SR 162 when a deer entered the path of his 2007 General Motors Envoy as he approached SR 62. Nugent was not injured in the 5 a.m., February 17 mishap, but there was an estimated $1,000-2,500 damage to his vehicle.
