Spencer County Sheriff’s Department
Driver charged after fleeing, striking sign and tree
A 25-year-old Rockport man was arrested after allegedly fleeing and crashing his 2011 Ford Edge Saturday evening, February 20. According to police, Jeremiah Heller refused to stop for a speeding infraction on CR 900 W in Richland and instead resisted by vehicle, disregarding three stop signs and speeding until sliding across the roadway and striking a stop sign and tree. Heller was then arrested and charged with resisting law enforcement, criminal recklessness, reckless driving and operating a motor vehicle without ever receiving a license. Damages in the crash were estimated between $5,000-10,000.
Rear-end collision
Jeanette Curiel, 40, of Owensboro, KY, was stopped in the turning lane on SR 161 in Rockport, waiting to turn right, when her 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee was struck from behind by a 2016 Ford Explorer driven by 43-year-old Jessica Ballard, also of Owensboro. Neither driver was injured in the February 20, 6 p.m. collision. Total damages were estimated between $1,000-2,500.
Snowy conditions cause head-on collision
Krystle Johnson, 34, of Rockport, was attempting to stop at the intersection of CR 350 W and SR 66 in Rockport when, she later told police, she slid through the intersection due to snow on the roadway and struck an eastbound 2016 Ram F150 driven by 58-year-old Kay Erwin, also of Rockport. EMS examined both drivers and applied a stint to Erwin’s arm, but she and Johnson both refused ambulance transport to the hospital. Total damages in the February 17, 6:14 p.m. collision were estimated between $50,000-100,000.
Rear-end collision
Joshua Sanders, 34, of Reynolds Station, KY, was eastbound on CR 500 W near Rockport when, he told police, he failed to notice a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado parked on the side of the roadway and struck it with his 2009 Jeep Cherokee. Sanders’ Jeep then traveled across the roadway and went into a ditch. The driver of the Silverado advised police that his battery had died while driving, so he pulled over on the side of the roadway with his hazard lights on but the driver’s side tires were on the white line of the roadway. Sanders advised he did not notice the Silverado until it was too late. Neither driver was injured, but Sanders was cited for operating with expired plates. Total damages in the February 21, 6:18 p.m. collision were estimated between $10,000-25,000.
