BEDFORD — Kasey Caraway, 50, of Bedford, was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections after a tragic three-vehicle accident that resulted in the death of 65-year-old Michael Wright of Bedford. Superior Court I Judge John Plummer III suspended Caraway’s sentence for two years, allowing her to serve the remainder under supervised probation.
Caraway, who received credit for 118 days served in the Lawrence County Jail and an additional 103 days for electronic monitoring, will complete her two years and 88 days in prison under house arrest or electronic monitoring.
A toxicology report revealed that Caraway tested positive for multiple substances, including codeine, fentanyl, morphine, Norfentanyl, amphetamines, and methamphetamine.
The accident occurred on February 6, 2023, at approximately 11:44 a.m. at State Road 37 and John Williams Boulevard. According to Bedford Police Major Jeremy Bridges, officers were informed before arrival that the incident was fatal. Upon arrival, Bridges observed a vehicle on its side, another in the median, and a covered body on the roadside.
Michael Wright reportedly stood before his disabled 1985 Jeep Wrangler, which had its hood up. While some witnesses noted that his emergency flashers were activated, others disputed this claim. Caraway was driving a 2005 Cadillac Escalade when she struck Wright’s vehicle, launching him into the air. Police reports indicate that Caraway did not slow down or change lanes before the collision.
Caraway told police she had not seen the Jeep and could not avoid the impact. At the same time, another driver, 61-year-old Rebecca French of Bloomington, was traveling in a 2013 Nissan Frontier and swerved to avoid debris from the accident, inadvertently striking Wright.
As part of the standard procedure following a fatal accident, all drivers involved were administered blood tests at IU Health Bedford Hospital to assess for impairment.
The community mourns the loss of Michael Wright while Kasey Caraway begins her sentence amid ongoing discussions about road safety and substance use.
