Friday, April 14, 2017, 7:25 PM
Today, Easter weekend traffic kept troopers from the Versailles Post busy on I-65 in Jackson and Bartholomew Counties.
This morning, troopers conducted a special holiday patrol on I-65 in both counties. The special patrols were aimed at targeting those drivers that were speeding or exhibiting dangerous driving behaviors. During a two-hour period, troopers issued 48 citations and 28 warnings. During the patrols, one arrest was made for possession of marijuana.
This afternoon, troopers responded to a personal injury crash on I-65 near the 38-mile marker in Jackson County. The initial investigation by Sgt. Stephen Wheeles indicated that a 2009 Ford Escape being driven by James Beard, age 53, Ray City, Georgia was traveling northbound on I-65 near the 38-mile marker when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle left the roadway and entered the median of I-65. After entering the median, the vehicle struck the cable barrier before overturning and coming to a stop.
As a result of the collision, Beard sustained serious injuries and was flown by StatFlight Medical Helicopter to the University of Louisville Hospital for treatment. Passengers in the vehicle, Nicole Beard, age 29, Hannah Beard, age 5, and Marlee Beard, age one, all of Ray City, Georgia were transported by Jackson County EMS to Scott County Memorial Hospital for the treatment of their injuries. Their injuries are believed to be non-life threatening.
As a result of the crash, I-65 Southbound was closed for approximately one hour. Both directions of I-65 remained slow for two hours for crash investigation and cleanup. During the investigation, troopers re-routed southbound traffic at Uniontown.
The crash remains under investigation.
Sgt. Wheeles was assisted by numerous other troopers with the Indiana State Police, Crothersville Police Officer Christopher Cooper, Jackson County Reserve Deputy Scott Davis, Jackson County EMS, Crothersville Fire Department, StatFlight Medical Helicopter, and Howard’s Wrecker Service.
SOURCE: Indiana State Police – Versailles District 42