Officers, rescue personnel respond to accidents
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

Deputies from the Ripley County Sheriff's Department have been busy the last few days responding to a number of accidents.

One air cared from accident near Napoleon

In an accident that occurred on Sunday, October 2, William Nickell, 84, of Osgood, was airlifted by PHI to University Hospital in Cincinnati, following a two vehicle collision that occurred at about 9:36 a.m.

According to information from Deputy Thomas Grills of the Ripley County Sheriff's Department, Nickell was eastbound on CR 700 when

his 2004 Chevrolet passenger car entered US 421 and was struck by Ona Peetz, 60, of Napoleon. Peetz was operating a 1988 Chevrolet passenger car, and was traveling south. Nickell's driver's door was struck, causing entrapment.

Nickell was extricated, and then transported to UC. His passenger, Ruth Huneke, 85, also of Osgood, was taken to Decatur County Hospital in Greensburg. Peetz, was also taken to Greensburg hospital.

Napoleon and Osgood fire departments, Ripley County Paramedics, and Rescue 69 all responded to the scene. The accident is still under investigation according to Deputy Grills.

1000's of gallons of milk leak into creek

Ripley County Emergency Services personnel responded to the scene of a personal injury accident early Tuesday morning, October 4. The accident occurred on US 50 near CR 400 West.

When officers arrived they found a semi-truck owned by Moores Milk Service in Elrod, had ran off the roadway and overturned spilling approximately 6,000 gallons of milk into North Fork Creek just past the residence of Jack Furst.

The semi-truck was being operated by James E. Cole, 37, of Milan. He was traveling eastbound on US 50 at the time of the crash. Cole was taken to Margaret Mary Community Hospital, Batesville, by Rescue 69 and Ripley County Paramedics with lacerations, head and neck pain. He was released later that same day.

Authorities noted that US 50 was closed periodically from the time of the accident at 5:15 a.m. until the scene was secure at 8:15 a.m.

The accident is being investigated by Sergeant Marvin Smith, of the Ripley County Sheriff's Department. He was assisted at the scene by Sheriff Bill Davison, Captain David Pippin, Holton Town Marshal Bill Moore, Holton Fire Department and Versailles Fire Department.

Three vehicles, five people involved in accident at SR 46 and Spades Road

Tuesday, October 4, at about 5:25 p.m. a report of a traffic accident with injuries came in to the Ripley County Communications Department. The accident was reported to have taken place at SR 46 and Spades Road.

Emergency personnel responded to find three vehicles were involved. Ronald Weber, 41, of Sunman was stopped facing west on SR 46 waiting to turn south on Spades Road when his Ford F-350 was struck from the rear by a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban being operated by Jack R. Modlin, 69, of North Vernon.

The Modlin vehicle was then struck from the rear by a 2002 Pontiac Bonnieville that was being driven by Christine Jackson, 24, of Aurora. Both Modlin and Weber were the sole occupants of their respective vehicles. Jackson was accompanied by her children, 3 and 6 years old.

Modlin, Jackson and her children were treated at the scene by Batesville Rescue 10. Police say the children were properly restrained in the rear of the vehicle minimizing their injuries. Weber was taken to Margaret Mary Community Hospital, Batesville, suffering from back and neck pain.

State Road 46 was shut down for a period of time while the scene was secured and patients evaluated. The accident is being investigated by Chief Deputy David Pippin, who was assisted at the scene by Ripley County Reserve Officer Danny Hamilton, Indiana Conservation Officer Steve Miller, ISP Trooper Barry Bischoff, Sunman Reserve Officer Brian Noble, Batesville Fire and Rescue and Batesville Rescue 10.