Henry County – This afternoon shortly after 2:30 p.m. Pendleton Trooper Doug Snyder, along with New Castle City Officers and the Henry County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a crash on County Road 50 East just south of County Road 300 South and the New Castle city limits.

Officers arrived to find a red Chevrolet Cavalier off the east side of the roadway against a newly broken utility pole. The driver and only occupant, a female named Casey Williams, age 23 of New Castle, was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Williams admitted to Trooper Snyder that she had been driving north and was in the middle of texting, looking down at her phone, when she realized her car was headed off the right side of the roadway into the ditch.  Due to her speed she was unable to correct before hitting the utility pole.

Trooper Snyder issued Williams a ticket for Use of a Telecommunication Device While Operating a Motor Vehicle. Trooper Snyder was assisted by the New Castle Police, Fire and EMS, as well as the Henry County Sheriff’s Department.

Trooper Snyder said at the scene, “This crash demonstrates the serious nature and dangers of texting while driving.”  The Indiana State Police reminds the public to not text and drive.  Distracted driving can be as deadly as driving impaired.

The Indiana State Police remain committed to reducing crashes and patrolling in high crash areas.  We will continue to monitor the top causes for crashes and concentrating enforcement efforts on these causes. 

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.