JCD senior loses life in accident

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

The mood was somber at Jac-Cen-Del High School last Friday as the news of the tragic death of senior Victoria R. Richards, spread. Principal Johnny Budd told the Osgood Journal they called all the students together first thing Friday morning, April 3. “It was very sad, our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends,” he noted.

Active in school activities, Richards was a member of the National Honor Society, a five-year member of the Flag Team, member of the Art Club and Drama Club where she had been cast for a part in an upcoming production. She was also a member of the Tree County Players for several years. She was a member of the St. Maurice Catholic Church in Napoleon.

Richards, 18, of Napoleon, was killed after she was involved in a single vehicle accident Thursday, April 2, around 5:30 p.m. on County Road 500 North, just west of Finks Road. She was driving a 1994 Pontiac Grand Am when she ran off the right side of the roadway and appeared to have overcorrected. She then crossed back across the roadway and struck a tree on the driver’s door area, according to Deputy Steven Sullivan of the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office.

Richards had to be extricated from the vehicle and was taken via Life Line helicopter to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, where she later died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Two juvenile passengers in the accident received minor injuries and were taken to Margaret Mary Community Hospital, Batesville, where they were treated. Police say all three occupants of the vehicle were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

Richards was born June 14, 1990 in Batesville, the daughter of Howard and Carolyn McCullough Richards. Her father preceded her in death.

She has two brothers: Jacob and wife, Carla of Westport; Lucas Steven, Napoleon; a sister Sarah, and husband, Garric Folsom of Westport; grandmother, Anna McCullough of Greensburg; step-grandmother, Janice Deffenbaugh of Hume, IL.

Visitation will be held tonight, April 7 from 3-8 p.m. at the Porter-Oliger-Pearson Funeral Home, Greensburg. A public rosary will be prayed at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 8 at the St. Maurice Catholic Church in Napoleon with Rev. Rob Hankee officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Decatur County Relay for Life.

Victoria Richards