Spencer County Sheriff’s Department
Rear-end collision
Joshua Berg, 30, of Bristow, was attempting to turn north onto State Road 162 from SR 62 when the Kenworth Synergy tanker trunk he was driving was struck from behind by a 2008 Dodge Avenger driven by 19-year-old Cassandra Beier of St. Meinrad. Neither driver was injured in the May 10, 12:40 p.m. collision, but total damages were estimated between $2,500-5,000. Beier’s car had to be towed from the scene due to damage.
Driver transported to hospital after run-off
A Deputy with the Spencer County Sheriff’s Department responded to a one-vehicle accident that occurred on north Fulda Shortcut Road Tuesday morning, May 4. Upon arriving at the scene, the deputy found a 2000 Chevrolet Blazer against a tree, with the driver, later identified as 39-year-old Toni Williams of Cannelton, pinned in the vehicle. The deputy attempted to keep Williams conscious. She informed the deputy that she was driving the speed limit but went around a corner, at which point her vehicle spun around before striking a tree. The road was wet and it was raining at the time the deputy arrived on scene. Williams was transported to the hospital for complaint of pain in her knee and lower leg and foot. Total damages were estimated between $2,500-5,000.
Side-swipe
Brynlee Arant, 17, of Rockport, was northbound on Highway 161 when, she later told police, a vehicle in front of her slowed down. The driver behind her, 26-year-old Derek Barnes of Owensboro, KY, then allegedly attempted to pass on the left side of Arant’s vehicle before noticing a southbound vehicle approaching, at which point he attempted to drive back into his lane and side-swiped Arant’s 2007 Nissan Altima. Neither driver was injured in the April 27, 8:08 a.m. collision. Damages were estimated to be under $1,000.
Ran off road
William Payne, 86, of Owensboro, KY, was southbound on CR 100 E in Chrisney when, he later told police, he traveled through the T-intersection at 100 E and 350 N and drove into a ditch. Payne told officers he was unfamiliar with the area; he refused medical care, denying any pain or injuries. Total damages to Payne’s 2009 Toyota Camry in the May 1, 8:06 p.m. accident were estimated to be between $5,000-10,000.
Ran off road
Dennis Vaught, 68, of Evanston, was northbound on CR 1250 E, just north of SR 66 in Grandview, when, he later told police, a southbound car crossed into his lane. Vaught swerved to avoid colliding with the other vehicle, at which point he slid off the roadway. Vaught reported the other driver was on his or her phone at the time he or she crossed into his lane. Vaught was not injured in the May 8, 9:21 a.m. run-off, and damage to his 2017 Nissan was estimated to be under $1,000.
Right angle collision
Gabriela Morrison Blanchard, 22, of Rockport, was stopped at the intersection of CR 600 W in Richland when, she later told police, she was unable to see oncoming traffic from the west due to a concrete truck parked along the roadway blocking her view. Thinking all traffic had passed, she proceeded into the intersection, at which point her 2013 Ford CMA entered the path of a 2014 Porsche driven by 47-year-old Ramin Rashidian of Owensboro, KY. Rashidian was unable to avoid a collision, and the front of his Porsche struck the left side of Morrison Blanchard’s Ford at a right angle. Neither driver was injured in the May 10, 3:19 p.m. collision. Total damages were estimated to be between $50,000-100,000.
Rear-end collision
Houston Compton, 17, of Rockport, was stopping for a traffic light on SR 66 in Rockport when his 2017 Nissan Titan XD was rear-ended by a 2008 Nissan Altima driven by 17-year-old Nia Wilson of Richland. Neither driver was injured in the April 29, 7:43 a.m. collision, but damages were estimated between $5,000-10,000.
Driver charged with OWI after crash
Dwayne Ebelhar, 59, of Boonville, was northbound on CR 450 W when, he later told police, he swerved to avoid something in the roadway and ran off the west side of the road. His 2005 GMC pickup truck came to rest in a ditch. Ebelhar also advised that he had someone drive him home, where he changed clothes before returning to the scene. Despite having an abrasion on his forehead, Ebelhar denied medical treatment. After further investigation, Ebelhar was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated; operating a vehicle while intoxicated, endangering a person; operating a vehicle with an ACE of 0.15 or more; and leaving the scene of an accident. Total damages in the April 30, 9:44 p.m. crash were estimated to be between $5,000-10,000.
