A Perry County man was taken into custody Wednesday on several felony counts for his involvement in a crash in which four people were struck by a vehicle in New Boston over the 4th of July holiday.
A release from the Spencer County Prosecutor’s Office says 28-year old Patrick Taylor-Gerber of Tell City was arrested Wednesday on four Level 6 felony counts of Causing Serious Bodily Injury When Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance in the Body and four Level 6 felony counts of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Serious Bodily Injury.
Authorities say back on July 4th, Taylor-Gerber was the driver of a 2013 Buick Enclave involved in a two-vehicle traffic accident on State Road 545 in New Boston. That accident resulted in injuries to four pedestrians.
Two pedestrians were flown to hospitals and two others were transported by ambulance. Thirty-one year old Lisa George of Branchville remained hospitalized for several weeks following the accident.
Meanwhile two juveniles, aged 7 and 9, as well as 58-year old Cheryl Price of Tell City, were also injured in the crash.
Indiana State Police Detective Joshua Greer investigated the crash and later obtained search warrants with the assistance of the Spencer County Prosecutor’s Office for the event data recorder from Taylor-Gerber’s Buick and for Taylor-Gerber’s cell phone.
Greer later determined that speed, cell phone use and the use of a controlled substance were all likely factors contributing to the accident. As of now, all four victims have been released from area hospitals and are recovering.
Spencer County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Wilkinson credited the state police for conducting a very thorough and detailed investigation and accident reconstruction in the case that ultimately led to charges being filed.
Taylor-Gerber in being held at the Spencer County Law Enforcement Center on $100,000 surety bond or $10,000 cash.
He is expected to appear by closed-circuit video for an initial hearing in the case this Friday at 9 am in the main courtroom of the Spencer Circuit Court. Further court dates will be set at that time.
