Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Officers from the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office have been literally running from one end of the county to the other investigating 27 crashes in a short span of time, seven days.

“It is not uncommon for the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office to investigate 27 traffic crashes in a seven day span...in January or February,” noted Chief Deputy, Major David Pippin. He says when the weather is terrible and the roadways are covered with snow, ice, or sleet officers often respond to a large number of accidents in a short period of time. But, he said it is uncommon for the time of year, with little weather to contribute to the causes.

Officers were scrambling to two near simultaneous crashes last Thursday morning, November 13 - one in Versailles, the other on SR 350 near Delaware.

The first crash occurred at approximately 9:10 a.m. and involved a semi tractor trailer and a pick-up truck. The crash occurred when April Dawson, 28 of Delaware, was traveling west on SR 350 when she lost control of the 1999 GMC pick-up truck she was operating. She crossed the center line directly into the path of a Wal-Mart tractor/trailer rig being operated by Thomas White, 58, of Osgood.

Neither driver was injured in the crash that caused SR350 to be closed over four hours. The rig left the roadway coming to rest in a large ditch, according to Major Pippin. The crash is being investigated by Major Pippin and Reserve Deputy Dale Holbert. Assisting at the scene were Detective Sergeant Corky Houseworth and Reserve Deputy Tina Caudill.

The second accident that morning occurred when Jason Smith, 33, was responding to the scene on SR 350 and lost control of his emergency vehicle, crashing into a utility pole at the intersection of US 50 and Gaslight Drive in Versailles. Smith was transported to the hospital where he was treated and released.

Deputy Andrew Hammack is the investigating officer and was assisted by Sheriff Tom Grills.

Other emergency services to the two accidents included Delaware Fire Department, Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, the Indiana State Department of Transportation, Rescue 69, Ripley County Paramedic, Versailles Fire Department Truck 61.

Major Pippin noted that the crashes spanned from one side of the county to the other, ranging from single vehicle accidents with little or no injuries to a four vehicle crash that saw six people injured.