Pendleton – District 51 Sergeant Jeff Rader was getting fuel at the post shortly after 8 a.m. this morning when he heard a loud boom east of the post, across a field, in the direction of State Road 9.  He responded to the area on State Road 9, approximately ½ mile east of the post, and found three vehicles crashed on State Road 9 just north of Madison County Road 950 South.

Preliminary investigation revealed a north bound Oldsmobile, driven by James Le Roy Kilgore, age 43 of Anderson, drove left of center and side swiped a south bound 2000 Dodge Durango, driven by Torita Byrd, age 37,of Anderson. The Durango rotated into the north bound lane and struck a 1999 Dodge Caravan, driven by Courtney Johnson, age 28 of Indianapolis, head on.

Kilgore’s Oldsmobile continued north until he pulled off the road. The Durango, with heavy front end damage, was facing south in the north bound lane.  The caravan ended up off the road on the east side.  All participants were transported by Madison County EMS to St. John’s Hospital in Anderson with what is believed to be non- life threatening injuries.

The roadway was closed for over an hour while crews removed debris and investigators worked at the scene. It is unknown at this time what caused Kilgore’s Oldsmobile to go left of center. Kilgore was cited for Left of Center, Driving While Suspended, False and Fictitious Registration and Lack of Financial Responsibility (No Insurance.)

Left of Center was a leading cause of fatal crashes with multiple fatalities in Madison County last year. The Indiana State Police remain committed to reducing crashes, educating the public on the main causes of crashes and patrolling in high crash areas. 

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