WASHINGTON CO. — A two-vehicle collision on Friday, December 20, 2024, resulted in one fatality and left another individual with non-life-threatening injuries. The crash occurred at approximately 6:13 p.m. at the intersection of State Road 56 East and the bypass.
Deputies and emergency services personnel responded to the scene, where they found a silver 2007 Honda Civic and a red 2013 Toyota RAV4 off the roadway in the northern ditch of State Road 56 East, just east of Quaker Road.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, the driver of the Honda Civic was identified as 55-year-old James Jacobs of Ramsey, Indiana, and the driver of the Toyota RAV4 was 40-year-old Michelle Richardson of Paris Crossing, Indiana.
Investigators have determined that Jacobs was traveling northbound on the bypass, approaching State Road 56 East, while Richardson was heading eastbound on State Road 56 East. Evidence and witness statements suggest that Jacobs disregarded a stop sign at the intersection, entering the eastbound lane of State Road 56 East. Richardson’s vehicle then struck the driver’s side of Jacobs’ car, causing both vehicles to leave the roadway.
The Washington County Ambulance Service transported Jacobs to St. Vincent Hospital in Salem with life-threatening injuries. Despite efforts to save him, he was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. Richardson, on the other hand, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was also transported to St. Vincent Hospital for treatment.
Deputy Seth Goode is leading the investigation into the crash, with assistance from Sgt. Matt Hein, Sheriff Brent Miller, Salem Police Officers Chad Webb and Owen Bowers, Indiana State Police, members of the Salem Fire Department, and the Washington County Coroner’s Office.
The Indiana State Police has been called in to reconstruct the crash scene, and the incident remains under investigation.
