High:77°F Low:61°F

Search

North Vernon woman killed in single-car crash

Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 7:40 PM

Courtesy-Jennings County Sheriff's Office

NORTH VERNON, Ind.—Jennings County Deputies responded to a fatal single-vehicle crash on County Road 1000W, near County Road 500N, on the Jackson/Jennings County line, on Wednesday, January 21.

Emergency personnel were called to the accident at around 11:20 a.m., where an SUV had left the roadway and struck a tree.

Sheriff Kenny Freeman and four deputies, along with Jennings County EMS and members of the Geneva Township Fire Department, all responded to the crash. The vehicle was located, partially on the roadway, and appeared to have struck a tree on the west side of the highway.

The driver, and sole occupant, of the SUV, identified as 65-year-old Karen Hodges, was conscious but unresponsive when emergency personnel arrived on scene. Deputies stayed with the driver until Jennings County EMS was able to stabilize the female and began providing aid.

A medical transport helicopter was requested to airlift the driver to a trauma center. Hodges was later pronounced deceased at St. Vincent Hospital on 86th St. in Indianapolis. 

The initial investigation conducted by Jennings County Deputies determined that Hodges was northbound on North C.R. 1000W when, for an unknown reason, she left the west side of the highway and struck a tree head-on. It is believed that Hodges was wearing her safety belt at the time of the crash. Drugs or alcohol are not thought to be contributing factors to the accident.   

The crash investigation is ongoing in conjunction with the Marion County Coroner's Office.

Share

More from Top Story

  • Accidental shooting injures local man

    COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Police Department (CPD) is investigating an accidental shooting that occurred on Tuesday afternoon. Officers were dispatched to a report of a person shot at a business located in the 2100 block of North National Road, at around 1:45 p.m.   

  • State Trooper Shot During Traffic Stop on I-94

    HAMMOND, IN – UPDATE (11:26 p.m. on May 26): Detectives continued to gather information and evidence related to the investigation. The female passenger has been released pending further investigation. More details will be released in the days ahead.

  • BCSO partners with ASAP to counsel inmates

    COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), in partnership with ASAP and medical provider Quality Correctional Care, has committed to addressing mental health and substance abuse challenges both inside the jail and beyond release.

  • Bloomington man arrested after I-65 pursuit in Bartholomew County

    BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY, Ind. - A Monroe County man was arrested Sunday evening after fleeing from Indiana State Police (ISP) on southbound I-65 and later striking two vehicles before coming to a stop. A Senior ISP Trooper was on his way home from working the Indy 500 when the incident began.

  • BCSC awards diplomas to almost 850 seniors from North, East, CSA New Tech

    COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) held commencement ceremonies over the weekend for seniors at Columbus North, Columbus East, and CSA New Tech High Schools.

Community Calender

Today's Weather

  • Bartholomew County Weather

    Thunder storm

    High: 77°F | Low: 61°F

Follow Local News Digital on