JACKSON TWP. — On Nov. 2 a truck overturned in a ditch on the East side of Helmsburg Road, sending the driver to the hospital and ejecting the passenger.
Officers with the Brown County Sheriff’s Department, IU Health EMS and Brown County Volunteer Fire Department all responded to the scene.
The driver, 18-year-old Franklin Lane of Nineveh said he was driving on Helmsburg Road when he drove off the edge of the road, according to the accident report. Franklin stated he tried to correct his steering and ended up in the ditch on the other side of the roadway.
When Deputy Cody Loncaric arrived at the scene and said there was a firefighter trying to assist the individuals in the vehicle, and when he walked to the front of the truck he saw passenger Hailey Lindsey, 20 of Nashville, on the ground.
Deputy Loncaric said Lindsey was partially ejected from the vehicle through the passenger’s side window and was trapped under the truck, and he did not see any signs that she was conscious.
EMS reported Lindsey died at the scene. Lane reported pain in his head and was transported to IU Health Hospital in Bloomington. Blood samples were taken for alcohol and drug tests according to the report. Results are still pending at this time.
Crash on Old 46 leaves 3 occupants entrapped
WASHINGTON TWP. — a crash involving two vehicles on Nov. 3 resulted in two people transported to the hospital and others checked out by EMS.
Timothy Lacefield, 62, of Nashville was driving on Old State Rd 46 near the intersection of Tuck A Way Ridge Dr. when he crossed the center of the road and hit vehicle 2, according to the crash report.
Nashville Patrolman Heath Young arrived at the scene and said he saw a truck on its side with occupants entrapped. Brown County Sheriff Deputy Zaccary Sheppard noticed a female, later identified as Laura Crandall, 14, sitting on the side of the road. Crandall said she was in the truck, sitting in the middle with no seatbelt, according to the report. Young said the driver’s side window was busted out so Crandall could exit the vehicle.
According to Young, Lacefield had an odor of an alcoholic beverage, and admitted to having something to drink at dinner, which was approximately two hours prior. Lacefield was placed in the ambulance. Lacefield complained of pain in his back. Crandall was bleeding from her chin and was placed in the same ambulance and the two of them were transported to IU Health hospital in Bloomington, according to the report.
The second vehicle driver, Pamela Smith, 49, of Edinburgh and her passenger Cynthia Acton noticed vehicle 1 coming toward them and Smith said she got over as far as she could but was struck on the side by Lacefield. Both occupants were wearing their seatbelts and there was air bag deployment, according to the report. Smith was complaining of pain in her left hand and left leg and was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital for her injuries.
Man faces 1 felony, 2 misdemeanors counts
WASHINGTON TWP– A 27-year-old Columbus man, Mason Bryant has been charged with a Level 6 felony and a Class B and Class C misdemeanor for possession of cocaine, marijuana and paraphernalia.
On Oct. 31 Brown County Deputy Michael Southerland was driving on State Road 46 West when he witnessed a Red SUV vehicle behind him. The vehicle continuously came very close to the rear of Southerland’s vehicle multiple times, according to the affidavit. The vehicle was close enough to the rear of his vehicle that he could not see the headlights or most of the hood of the red vehicle. After a few more minutes of the vehicle following close behind, Southerland said he pulled to the side of the road and let the vehicle pass him and initiated a traffic stop.
According to the report, Southerland pulled the vehicle over and was issuing Bryant a verbal warning when he detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
Southerland asked Bryant how much marijuana was in the vehicle and Mason denied that there was any. The report said he asked Mason when the last time marijuana was smoked in the car, and he stated that it had been four or five hours. According to the report, Southerland asked Bryant three more times if there was marijuana in the vehicle and said he was going to search it. Bryant then stated that there might be some marijuana in the backpack that was in the front passenger seat of the vehicle, according to the report.
Sutherland located the backpack and in the front pocket there were two clear Ziploc style bags containing a green leafy material consistent with marijuana. He also located an orange and white glass smoking device with suspected marijuana residue inside of it, according to the report. Southerland also located in the same zipper pocket a small clear glass container with a black lid containing a white powdery substance. Bryant admitted to knowing the marijuana and cocaine were in his backpack, according to the report.
Bryant was booked into the Brown County Jail under the charges of Possession of Marijuana a Class C Misdemeanor, Possession of Paraphernalia a Class B Misdemeanor, and Possession of Cocaine a Level 6 Felony, according to the report.
Nashville man, 63, charged with battery
WASHINGTON TWP — A 63-year-old Nashville man was charged with Domestic Battery, a Level 5 felony.
On Nov. 1 Brown County Sheriff’s Deputy Cody Loncaric responded to a call for a welfare check on Gould Street. The reporting party, Qunya Burke called Brown County Dispatch that her mother called saying David Wert was at her house acting out of control and getting abusive, according to the affidavit. Burke then called dispatch again saying her mother called saying Wert was attacking her.
Deputy Loncaric said he arrived at the scene and told Wert he got a call about a possible battery and asked if Naomi Eisenmenger, Burke’s mother was inside the house. Wert then called her to come to the door, according to the report. Loncaric said there were visible signs of injury on Eisenmenger’s face including bruising on her chin and redness on the majority of her face.
Loncaric said he told Wert he was detaining him due to the nature of the call and as he was putting him in handcuffs, Loncaric could smell the odor of alcoholic beverages and marijuana, according to the report.
Wert was charged with Domestic Battery with prior conviction for battery against the same family or member, a Level 5 felony. In 2019 Wert took a plea agreement for Domestic Battery, a Level 6 felony, regarding Eisenmnger as well, according to the report.
