As of 10 a.m., Indiana State Police are reporting that US 50 near the Jennings and Jackson County line will be closed for several hours because of a crash that is blocking the roadway near Biehle Electric.
They suggest seeking an alternate route if you plan on traveling between Seymour and North Vernon.
Seven people were injured over the weekend in a rollover accident in Jackson County.
The crash happened just before 11 a.m. Sunday morning when an SUV packed with people, several unrestrained by seatbelts, had a tire malfunction, which sent the vehicle spinning off of Interstate 65 near the Jonesville Road exit and rolling over into a field, according to Indiana State Police.
Sgt. Stephen Wheeles said that the vehicle did not have enough seats nor seatbelts for all the passengers. Several people were thrown from the crash.
The driver, 33-year-old Thomas McMurray of Medora was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital with serious injuries. The front passenger, 35-year-old Kristina McMurray, also of Medora was flown to an Indianapolis hospital with critical injuries. Another passenger, 12-year-old Dakota McMurray was also flown to an Indianapolis hospital with critical injuries.
Four other passengers were taken to CRH with serious injuries:
The northbound lanes of the interstate were closed for about two hours for the crash investigation and cleanup.
A pregnant Jennings County woman was revived by North Vernon Police over the weekend. A department spokesman says that officers were summoned to the 300 block of S. Gum Street at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. When Officers arrived, they determined that the woman, 23-year-old Alicia Jones, of North Vernon, had suffered an overdose. Narcan was administered by officers to Jones, who later regained consciousness.
Jones was ultimately arrested on two outstanding Jennings County warrants. Police say that 26-year-old Zachary D. Perry, of Columbus, was was found hiding underneath a car in the garage. He was arrested on one outstanding Jennings County Warrant and two outstanding Bartholomew County Warrants.
Ivy Tech Community College Columbus will host its 14th annual Run for the Ivy 5K/10K Run/Walk on Saturday, April 28. Chris Schilling, spokesman for the school, says the event will begin at 9 a.m. outside Poling Hall. The run is open to the public with proceeds used for Ivy Tech emergency scholarships and programs.
Schilling says the course is USA Track & Field certified. You can pre-register online at http://connect.ivytech.edu/events/runfortheivy or by calling 812-374-5342.
A free Kids Fun Run begins at 10:30 a.m. Sign-up for children will be available at the race. Childcare and activities for children ages two and older will begin at 8:30 a.m. on race day for children whose parents or caregivers are participating in the race. The cost for this service is $5 per child.
Pre-registered participants may pick up their race packet at Ivy Tech from noon until 5 p.m. on Friday, April 27. On race day, packet pick-up will start at 8 a.m.
Columbus City Cemetery, located south of Donner Park, is scheduled for spring clean-up on March 19, 2018. Those who have family plots in the Cemetery are asked to pick up any items that they wish to save by Sunday, March 18th. Parks Department personnel will remove and discard worn and out-of-season decorations that remain on the ground on Monday, March 19TH.
Fall clean-up is scheduled for October 1ST.
A complaint of cigarette smoking in a Columbus motel room led to the arrests of four people on Saturday night. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that shortly before 9 p.m., officers responded to the Motel 6, located at 161 Carrie Lane. When the officers arrived, they spoke with several people inside the room. Officers confirmed a warrant for 22-year-old Shannon E. Hadley, of Columbus, who was inside the room. While searching Hadley’s bag, officers allegedly found marijuana, a syringe containing methamphetamine, and other drug paraphernalia.
Harris says that officers later obtained a search warrant for the room where they recovered several syringes containing liquid methamphetamine, as well as drug paraphernalia. Police also reported finding a loaded handgun under a bed in the room.
Arrested were:
Shannon E. Hadley – Bartholomew County Warrant, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Visiting a Common Nuisance;
Damon L. Estes, 28, of Columbus – Visiting a Common Nuisance;
Ashley D. Hadley, 27, of Columbus: – Visiting a Common Nuisance;
Perry K. Davis, 21, of Edinburgh – Visiting a Common Nuisance
A Brown County man was arrested Monday morning after he was found asleep behind the steering wheel of his vehicle at a major intersection in Columbus. Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman, says that at approximately 6:30 a.m., Sgt Courtney Plummer responded to the US 31 and Central Avenue in regards to the unresponsive man. When Plummer arrived, she had difficulty waking the driver, who was identified as 24-year-old Jesse L. Harris, of Nashville. Authorities say that Harris’ vehicle was still in gear and began to roll into the intersection before it eventually came to a stop.
Authorities say that Harris was taken to the Columbus Police Department for a certified chemical breath test, providing a breath sample of .085% and was placed under arrest. Harris was arrested on a preliminary charge of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.
A local man is in custody after he allegedly tried to flee from a Columbus Police Officer on Saturday afternoon. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 12:40 p.m., Officer Brian Voyles saw 49-year-old Marshall L. Pursiful, of Columbus, standing outside of a gas station in the 1100 block of Washington Street. Voyles confirmed four warrants for Pursiful’s arrest and spoke with him inside the gas station. Pursiful allegedly tried to flee, but he was taken into custody a short time later. In addition to the outstanding warrants, Pursiful is facing a preliminary charge of Resisting Law Enforcement.
Parts of northern Bartholomew County were without power Friday night after a Hope man crashed his truck into a pole, splitting it in half. Lt. Matrt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that officers responded to the 4800 block of Sawin Drive shortly before 8 p.m. When the officers arrived, they reported speaking with the driver, 66-year-old Mark H. Forster. Forster allegedly told officers that had consumed five or six beers and was heading home when the crash occurred. While speaking with Forster, the officers reported noticing the strong odor of alcohol on his breath and that he had difficulty maintaining his balance.
Authorities say that Forster failed sobriety tests at the crash scene and later provided a certified breath test sample of .165%, more than twice the legal limit. Forster was arrested on a preliminary charge of Operating a Vehicle with a Breath Alcohol Content of .15% or Greater.
Some Southwestern Bartholomew Water Corp. customers are under a Boil Water Advisory after a water line break. Officials with the utility say that the line was compromised Monday morning, leading to service being out for customers in the following areas:
– Deer Creek Subdivision;
– Carr Hill Road;
– Terrace Lake Road;
– Wood Lake;
– County Road 200 South;
– Catalina Drive;
– Yokewood Court;
– Suburban Court;
– Crossing Lane;
– Youth Camp Road from County Road 550 West east to Carr Hill Road;
Officials say the Boil Water Advisory is in effect through noon on Wednesday for the same customers. These customers should bring water to a full boil for five minutes before consumption or use in cooking and food preparation.