Indiana Governor Mike Pence declared August 25 through August 31, 2013 as Indiana Rail Safety Week. Indiana Operation Lifesaver, Indiana State Police, Indiana Department of Transportation, local law enforcement and railroad companies have partnered together to raise the public’s awareness about the dangers of disregarding railroad crossings laws and trespassing laws.

“Every collision between a vehicle or person and a train is preventable,” states Jessica Feder, Executive Director of Indiana Operation Lifesaver. “Indiana law enforcement agencies and railroad special agents will be out monitoring railroad crossings during Indiana Rail Safety Week, which is being held August 25 – 31. The laws about obeying railroad traffic control signals as well as the laws pertaining to pedestrians trespassing on railroad rights-of-way will be strictly enforced. We have to change the public’s mindset regarding rail safety. Lives can be saved!”

Indiana Operation Lifesaver has scheduled numerous enforcement blitzes throughout Indiana involving law enforcement agencies. There will also be PSA’s throughout the state, safety information distributed at college campuses, posters on South Shore trains and at stations, Operation Lifesaver night at the Gary Rail Cats baseball game, and media coverage of events. Indiana is also taking a proactive lead in the elimination of trespassing and pedestrian fatalities at railroad crossings.

In 2012, there were 106 railroad crossing collisions resulting in 38 people injured and 17 fatalities in the state of Indiana. There were also 11 trespasser deaths last year. These numbers only reflect people who were injured or killed, not those people who broke the law and suffered no consequences. Indiana is currently ranked 4th nationally for railroad crossing collisions.

“We are constantly striving to improve the railroad crossings in Indiana,” said Feder. “However, more than 75 percent of the collisions at these public crossings occur where active warning devices, such as flashing lights and gates, exist. We encourage everyone to take these warning devices seriously and pay attention at all railroad crossings. It’s the law!”

Indiana Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade intersections and on railroad rights-of-way through public education, engineering and enforcement. To learn more about Indiana Operation Lifesaver, please visit them online at www.oli.org or call 317-267-4011.

The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched at approximately 11:09 AM to I164 near Covert Ave regarding a crash with injury. When deputies arrived they found an orange and black, 1984, Harley Davidson Motorcycle. The driver of the motorcycle was deceased at the scene. The passenger of the motorcycle was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center for treatment of her injuries.

A witness to the crash stated to deputies that he heard a load metallic snapping sound come from the motorcycle just prior to an apparent tire blow out. The driver of the motorcycle attempted to keep control of the motorcycle, but was unable to prevent it from going down on its side. Both the driver and passenger were ejected from the motorcycle. The driver and passenger were not wearing helmets. Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor at this time.

Identification of the driver and passenger will be released upon notification of the family.

The crash remains under investigation.

EPD Activity Report: August 23, 2013

Mega 70’s rock and roll act roared into Evansville last night for what was expected to be a vibrant and respectable crowd of fans in a new state of the art facility. What the members of Kansas faced when they took the stage was a cavernous but nearly empty stadium. Official attendance numbers are not available yet but a quick look at the seats would lead one to conclude that less than 1,000 people were willing to cough up the price of admission ($50 and up) to see this iconic band known for the platinum hits “Dust in the Wind” and “Carry on my Wayward Son”. The sparse attendance is a threat to future concerts because bands simply do not like to play before crowds that are smaller than they see at rehearsals.

Fleetwood Mac, another monster rock and roll band of the 70’s and 80’s passed on Evansville as a stop on their current tour. Mick Fleetwood, the legendary drummer recently spoke with CCO editor Joe Wallace at his restaurant Fleetwood’s in Lahaina, Maui about Fleetwood Mac’s upcoming tour. Fleetwood, 67 described how putting on a rock and roll act is very much like running a restaurant in the sense that “one has to perform worthy of an encore every night or lose your edge”. Fleetwood also spoke about touring and the little pains that come with aging and how such things make performing difficult. “That being the case, we only choose to perform in venues that guarantee a sellout crowd” continued Fleetwood.

Gibson County – Friday night, August 23, at approximately 10:00 p.m., Trooper Aaron Kaucher was patrolling US 41 near Fort Branch when Gibson County Dispatch received a 911 call regarding a possible impaired driver traveling southbound on US 41 in a red Ford F-15 pickup truck. Moments later, Trooper Kaucher spotted the vehicle traveling 62 in a 50 mph zone. The pickup truck was stopped on US 41 near Coal Mine Road and the driver was identified as Anthony Preske, 53, of Vincennes. Trooper Kaucher immediately detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage. An open 12 pack of beer was also located in the bed of the pickup. Preske was transporting his 9-year-old grandson and his 25-year-old son. Further investigation revealed Preske was impaired and was taken to the Gibson County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.

Arrested and Charges:
• Anthony Preske, 53, Vincennes, IN
1. Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (REFUSAL) with a Passenger under 18 years of age,
Class D Felony
2. Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated with a Prior DWI Conviction, Class D Felony

 Below is a list of felony cases that were filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday, August 22, 2013.

Thomas Bevinger             Theft-Class D Felony

Resisting Law Enforcement-Class A Misdemeanor

Richard Case                      Theft-Class D Felony

(Habitual Offender Enhancement)

Cedric Williams                Theft-Class D Felony

(Habitual Offender Enhancement)

Lucienne White               Maintaining a Common Nuisance-Class D Felony

Possession of Paraphernalia-Class A Misdemeanor

Assisting a Criminal –Class A Misdemeanor

For further information on the cases listed above, or any pending case, please contact Kyle Phernetton at 812.435.5688 or via e-mail at KPhernetton@vanderburghgov.org

Under Indiana law, all criminal defendants are considered to be innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.