Capsule Reports - Friday, Jan. 19, 2024

Leaving highway

Jay County highway superintendent Eric Butcher is leaving the department.

Butcher confirmed Thursday evening his last day will be Feb. 22. He noted he has accepted another position but held off sharing the name as details are being finalized.

“It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was one I felt was best for me at this time,” noted Butcher, who has headed the highway workers since October 2022.

Sideswiped

A semi truck driver hit a Redkey woman’s car while passing her on Indiana 67 in Jay County about 6:50 a.m. Tuesday.

Krystal N. McDowell, 39, Redkey, was driving her 2012 Buick Regal northeast on the highway with her hazard lights activated when John H. Lewis, 65, Bartow, Florida, attempted to pass McDowell in a 2019 Volvo semi truck, according to a Jay County Sheriff’s Office report.  As he drove into the other lane and passed McDowell, he sideswiped her vehicle, causing between $25,0000 and $50,000 in estimated damage.

The truck Lewis was driving is registered to Pik Express of Chandler.