Greentown – Sunday at approximately 6:12 p.m., officers from the Indiana State Police, the Howard County Sheriff’s Department, and the Greentown Police Department responded to a two vehicle crash on State Road 22 near Howard County Road 1050 East, in which four people were injured.
The preliminary crash investigation by Trooper Josh Tarrh revealed that Indiana State Trooper Corey Posey, 23, Grant County, IN, was driving a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria police car westbound on State Road 22, near County Road 1050 East. A 1992 Honda passenger car was traveling eastbound on State Road 22 near County Road 1050 East. For an undetermined reason, the Honda crossed the center line and sideswiped the police car. After impact, the Honda rolled at least twice before coming to rest in a grassy area off the north side of State Road 22. The police car came to rest in a ditch on the north side of State Road 22.
Trooper Posey was treated for a cut to his head and released from Howard Regional Hospital. There were three occupants in the Honda. At this time investigators have not determined who the driver was. The occupants of the Honda, Robert Jackson , 53, Winchester, IN, Jamie Byerly, 55, Ridgeville, IN, and Brandon Byerly, 36, Muncie, IN all suffered serious but non-life threatening injures in the crash. Jackson and Jamie Byerly were each flown by medical helicopter to separate Ft. Wayne hospitals. Brandon Byerly was transported by ambulance to a Howard County hospital.
This crash is still under investigation. At this time, evidence indicates the consumption of alcohol, by the occupants of the Honda, is a contributing factor in this crash.
All participants in the crash were wearing seat belts. Trooper Tarrh believes the restraints helped reduce the severity of injuries suffered in the crash.
Posey has been an Indiana State Police officer since December of 2014. He was on duty at the time of the crash.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
