Wanda English Burnett
Editor

Although Officer Blake Roope was wearing a neon green traffic vest, using neon green traffic wands, and had his fully marked police car with emergency lights on placed at the side of the road to slow traffic down, he still was nearly struck by a motorist that caused a crash on SR 46 last week.

According to information from Batesville Police Chief Stan Holt, the school resource officer (Roope) was directing traffic at the intersection of SR 46 and Huntersville Road about 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, August 25 when the incident occurred.

School was letting out and Roope directed Kiera Miller, 16, of Batesville, to turn east on SR 46. As Miller was following the officer’s direction and making the turn, her vehicle was struck by a westbound vehicle being operated by Toni Collins, 65, of Greensburg. Collins told police she did not notice Officer Roope directing traffic.

As the officer directed Miller to make the turn he noticed that Collins was not paying attention. Officer Roope noted that he had to “jump out of the roadway” to keep from being struck.

Miller was treated at the scene for minor injuries according to police, and Collins was not injured.

Officers urge motorists to abide by the speed limit signs around school zone areas and be aware. In this case, the speed limit was 35 mph. This particular school zone is marked by the Indiana Department of Transportation with flashing amber lights.

The accident is being investigated by Chief Holt who was assisted by SRO Roope, Lt. Gandy Browning, and Officer Jerry Taul. Batesville Fire and EMS also responded to the scene.