Spencer County Sheriff’s Department
Head-on collision
Jeff Kaetzel, 48, of Dale, was eastbound on CR 1450 N near Santa Claus when a 2002 Dodge Dakota operated by 69-year-old Paul Wright of Evansville drove left of center and struck his 2007 Dodge Ram Pick-up head-on. Both drivers as well as Kaetzel’s 19-year-old passenger were treated at the scene for minor abrasions. Wright allegedly told officers he had lost his train of thought, which caused him to cross the center line. Total damages in the June 12, 11:52 a.m. accident were estimated between $5,000-10,000.
Ran off road
Ciera Garrett, 18, of Tell City, was eastbound on CR 1550 E near Santa Claus when she lost control of her 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier upon coming across a sharp 90-degree turn on the gravel roadway. The Cavalier spun and hit a ditch, at which point it rolled completely on its top. Garrett was partially pinned inside the vehicle and had to be extricated by St. Meinrad Fire Department; she was transported to the hospital by Spencer County EMS for possible injuries to her legs. Her passenger, 20-year-old Courtney Breen, was also transported to the hospital after complaining of arm pain. Total damage to Garrett’s vehicle in the June 12, 9:54 a.m. accident was estimated between $2,500-5,000.
Rear-end collision
Jean Harris, 33, of Newburgh, was westbound on SR 66 near Rockport when, she later told authorities, a utility truck a few vehicles in front of her made a sudden stop, causing the other vehicles behind him to have to brake suddenly. As she braked to prevent hitting the vehicle in front of her, Harris’s 2018 Toyota Corolla was rear-ended by a 2005 Dodge Ram Pick-up driven by 57-year-old Tom Crossley of Troy. Crossley advised officers he saw the traffic in front of him stop due to the utility vehicle but was unable to stop in time from striking Harris’s car. Neither driver was injured in the June 11, 10:24 a.m. accident, but damages were estimated between $1,000-2,500.
Foot slip leads to collision
Deanna Dyer, 61, of Chrisney, was stopped at the stop sign on SR 70 waiting to cross the median of US 231 when, she later told police, her foot slipped off the brake and hit the gas pedal, causing her to enter the lane of traffic and hit a northbound 2006 Peterbilt-Motors 379 semi truck driven by 66-year-old Kenneth Beeler of Marysville. Dyer was treated at the scene for chest pain. Damages sustained in the June 10, 12:19 p.m. collision were estimated between $5,000-10,000.
Passenger injured in rear-end collision
Ruby Mitchell, 78, of Tennyson, was attempting to make a left-hand turn onto CR 125 W from SR 62 in Gentryville when her 2015 Ford Fusion was struck from behind by a 2006 Ford Five Hundred driven by 17-year-old Isiah Griepenstroh of Lamar. Mitchell’s passenger, 60-year-old Leland Wilkinson, suffered injuries and was transported to the hospital. Total damages in the June 9, 3:46 p.m. accident were estimated between $5,000-10,000.
Driver transported to hospital after running off road
Timothy Ubelhor, 53, of Tennyson, was eastbound on CR 1350 N near Gentryville when, he later told authorities, he swerved to miss a deer and ran off the roadway into a ditch. His 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo then struck an embankment and several trees before rolling over. Ubelhor was able to remove himself from his vehicle but sustained several injuries and was transported to the hospital by EMS. His Monte Carlo was deemed a total loss in the June 6, 4:33 p.m. accident.
