Ripley County, IN — A driver is facing several charges following a rollover crash with serious injuries in northern Ripley County Saturday night.
Indiana State Police say an SUV driven by 25-year-old Justin Palmer of Milan was eastbound on State Road 48 at State Road 129 when his vehicle went into the intersection and into the path of a southbound pickup truck driven by 36-year-old James Ratliff, also of Milan.
Troopers say the truck collided with the driver’s side of Palmer’s SUV, and Ratliff’s vehicle overturned.
Both Ratliff and Palmer were taken to Margaret Mary Health with non-life-threatening injuries.
A passenger in Ratliff’s vehicle, 35-year-old Megan Hountz, was trapped when the truck overturned.
She was flown by helicopter to UC Medical Center with serious injuries.
Four juveniles in Ratliff’s vehicle were also taken to Margaret Mary Health for treatment.
State Police say Palmer showed signs of intoxication during the investigation and was arrested and charged with Operating While Being a Habitual Traffic Violator, Operating While Intoxicated Causing Serious Bodily Injury, and Operating While Intoxicated with a Prior Conviction.
He is being held in the Ripley County Jail pending an initial court appearance.
The Indiana State Police-Versailles Post Crash Reconstruction Team responded to the scene to reconstruct the crash.
Toxicology results are pending at this time, and the investigation is ongoing.
ISP was assisted by the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, the Batesville Police Department, Ripley County EMS, the Delaware and Napoleon fire departments, and Buckley’s Wrecker Service.
