This morning at approximately 11:42, Trooper John Davis attempted to stop the male driver of a black 1996 Ford Mustang on SR 57 in Petersburg for not wearing his seat belt. The driver failed to stop and continued south on SR 61 and then east on SR 56 at a high rate of speed. The vehicle then turned south onto SR 257 toward Velpen and continued to drive at a high rate of speed. The driver of the Ford Mustang attempted to pass a silver 2014 Chevrolet pickup truck that was also traveling southbound approximately 300 feet south of CR 200 South. As the Mustang was in the process of passing, the driver of the pickup truck attempted to turn left into a private drive.
The Ford Mustang collided into the side of the Chevrolet pickup truck causing it to flip onto its top. The driver of the Chevrolet pickup truck, Frank Rode, 68, of Velpen, was transported to Jasper Memorial where he is currently being treated for non-life threatening injuries. Both vehicles were totaled. SR 257 was closed for approximately two-hours.
The driver of the Mustang was identified as Aaron Sanders, 25, of Petersburg. Further investigation revealed he had an active felony warrant out of Daviess County for failing to register as a sex offender. Sanders was transported to Deaconess Mid-Town Hospital in Evansville where he is currently being treated for a facial injury.
The investigation is continuing and additional charges are expected.
