Millions of Americans will be traveling over this Christmas and New Year’s Holiday period, with the majority traveling by automobile. What this means for Hoosiers is more traffic on Indiana’s roadways. To help ensure the safety of all motorists, the Indiana State Police will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E., or Combined Accident Reduction Effort, from December 22nd through January 2^nd.

Operation C.A.R.E. is a federally funded program that allows additional troopers to patrol Hoosier roadways looking for drivers that are driving aggressively or impaired. Please help do your part to make this Christmas-New Year’s Holiday travel period safe by observing the following safety rules:

• When planning to travel, make sure you are well rested, as a fatigued driver is a dangerous driver
• Increase your following distance; remember the two-second rule
• Watch for slowed or stopped traffic when approaching construction zones or crash sites
• Leave a car length between you and the vehicle in front of you in stopped traffic. Watch approaching traffic in your mirror and be prepared to take evasive action
• Decrease your speed according to traffic and road conditions
• Beware of bridges, overpasses and intersections where ice tends to form first during cold inclement weather
• Make sure everyone in your vehicle is properly restrained, including making sure Child Safety Seats are properly anchored and that children stay securely fastened in them
• DON’T BE DISTRACTED-Pull over and stop to use electronic devices
• DON’T DRIVE IMPAIRED-Have a designated driver or use a ride sharing service
• MOVE OVER and SLOW DOWN for emergency and highway service vehicles
• Don’t “hang out” in the left lane.  Always drive in the right lane except to pass a slower moving vehicle

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, safety belt use is the most effective strategy a person can employ to prevent death and minimize injury resulting from traffic collisions. Motorists are encouraged to report aggressive or suspected impaired drivers by calling 911.  Give a vehicle description, location, and direction of travel.

It’s that time of year again – coyotes are on the move, and Indiana residents might see them more, but this should not be a cause for alarm.

Coyotes are common everywhere in the state, even in urban areas. Coyotes become more active during winter, and the bare vegetation this time of year increases the chance of catching a glimpse. Young coyotes leave their parents to find a new home, making them more likely to be seen during winter. And in January, coyotes will be looking to breed, making them even more active. Seeing more coyotes does not mean they are increasing in number.

Where people are, coyotes follow. Coyotes like to eat animals and plants that thrive around yards and homes, including rabbits, mice, fruit and squirrels. They thrive around people because of the abundant food that comes with human development.

Coyotes are a common member of Indiana’s urban wildlife community, as are raccoons, red foxes, and opossums. Coyotes are also an important member of Indiana’s wildlife community, helping control rodent populations and cleaning up carrion.

Coyotes typically weigh between 20-30 pounds and are similar in height to a German Shepherd. Winter fur, which is thicker, makes coyotes appear bigger than they actually are, potentially causing concern.

To reduce the possibility of pets having a negative interaction with coyotes or any other wildlife, keep pets leashed, in a kennel with a secure top, or indoors.

Problems between coyotes and people are uncommon. Follow these tips for making your property less attractive to coyotes:

– Clean up fallen fruit from trees or gardens.
– Keep garbage secure.
– Make sure pet food and treats are not left outside.
– If you see a coyote around your yard, take down birdfeeders; coyotes could be attracted to the rodents eating the seeds.
– Never intentionally feed a coyote, which could result in its losing its fear of people.

Making a coyote feel unwelcome around people can help maintain its natural fear of humans, but never corner or chase a coyote – you should always allow it to have a clear escape path to get away from you.

If you see a coyote and want it to go away, try to make it uncomfortable:

– Yell.
– Wave your arms.
– Spray it with a hose.
– Throw tennis balls or small stones at it, but don’t throw anything that could be food, like apples.
– Carry a jar of coins to shake or a small air horn to make noise.

Learn more about coyotes at wildlife.IN.gov/5688.htm.

  On December the 21^st. around 3:00pm officers were sent to 2516 Sterling Dr. to check the welfare of a man who was threatening suicide.   The responding officers were given information that 57 year old Brian Lee Mullen, was in an apartment and was threatening to shoot himself in the head with a gun that he had in his possession.  When the officers arrived to check on Mullen, he pointed a handgun at them.  The officers repeatedly told Mullen to drop the weapon, and one of the officers fired when Mullen refused to do so.  

In 2005, Mullen was arrested for domestic battery and attempted to grab a Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Deputy’s gun at that time.  

The two initial responding officers were placed on 3 days administrative duty per our normal department protocol.  The initial investigation indicates clearly that all officers responded appropriately to the call.  

A press conference will be held at Police Headquarters (Chief’s Complex) at 2:00 P.M.  

Sunday December 22^nd, the Indiana State Police investigated a single vehicle personal injury automobile crash on I-69 at the 323mm near Auburn, DeKalb County. According to investigators all three occupants were transported to the Parkview Hospital (North Campus) with non-life threatening injuries. Passenger restraint usage and airbag deployment was identified as having prevented a much more severe outcome.

At approximately 1:55pm, Trooper James Bailey responded to investigate the reported single vehicle crash. Bailey’s initial investigation revealed that a 2012 Nissan Rogue passenger car had been traveling southbound on I-69 323mm in the passing lane.  For an unknown reason, the Nissan Rouge left the roadway into the center grass median and the driver overcorrected, sending the vehicle across both southbound lanes of travel and into the west ditch.  The Nissan then struck two trees on the passenger side prior to coming to rest. The driver, 60yr old Anne Reitz of Angola and her two adult passengers were all wearing their seatbelts at the time, and all air bag systems deployed during the crash. Bailey stated that, as testament to proper restraint usage and airbag technology, all three occupants were very fortunate. All three were transported by DeKalb County EMS with what were described as non-life-threatening injuries.

This crash comes at time during this busy holiday travel period where the Indiana State Police would remind all motorists to buckle up, slow down, and don’t drive distracted. Every driver needs to do their part to ensure safe holiday travels for all motorists on Indiana roadways.  In an effort to intercept dangerous and impaired driving behaviors, Troopers from the Fort Wayne Post will be out in full force now through January 2nd as part of Operation CARE, aggressively patrolling to keep our roadways safe.

Trooper Bailey was assisted at the scene by Master Trooper Chris Levitt, the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department, Auburn Fire Department, DeKalb County EMS, and Parker’s Wrecker service.

An autopsy was completed on the person involved in the police action shooting, Brian Mullen. It was determined that he died from 2  gunshot wounds. The Evansville Police Department can update on the progress of their investigation.

Philip Burke, the victim from Saturday’s plane crash suffered multiple blunt force trauma.  The investigation is ongoing and the Sheriff’s Office along with the FAA/NTSB is continuing their investigation..