Indiana Department of Transportation

Holiday travelers should check road conditions before leaving

With heavy rain comes high water, which has lead to the closure of many roads across the Hoosier State due to flooding during the New Year’s Holiday. The Indiana Department of Transportation strongly urges the motoring public to use caution over the holiday and turn around upon encountering a flooded roadway.

Floodwaters have the capability of damaging and destroying roadways. Those potential hazards may not be visible during times of high water.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration it only takes about six inches of water to make a vehicle begin to float and stall out. When all of those factors combine, it could lead to vehicles being swept away.
​
INDOT urges the motoring public to be aware of roads that are prone to flooding during and after heavy rains.

​Information about road closures can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/INDOTVincennesDistrict and Twitter at www.twitter.com/INDOTSouthwest.

For a complete listing of closures, including high water and construction related updates, you can access INDOT’s TrafficWise website at http://indot.carsprogram.org. Travelers can also get information by calling 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) or dialing 511 from a mobile phone.

Subscribe to receive INDOT news and information by text message or email athttps://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/INDOT/subscriber/new.

Find customer service contact information for your regional INDOT district athttps://entapps.indot.in.gov/dotmaps/districtmaps/ also call 511.

Drive sober

Drivers attending holiday gathering should avoid substances that impair reaction times. When on the roads, drive defensively and be aware for other inattentive or impaired drivers.

If too impaired to drive, make plans to designate a sober driver, stay overnight or take a cab home. Remember that driving while drowsy or distracted is similar to “buzzed” driving.

Vermillion County Sheriff's Office

VERMILLION COUNTY -- On Wednesday Dec. 30, , The Vermillion County Sheriff’s Office received a call of two people, a male and a female trapped in a vehicle in high water on State Road 234 between State Road 63 and the Wabash River Bridge.

When rescue personnel arrived, the vehicle’s flashing lights were visible approximately one mile east of the high water line, near the Wabash River Bridge.

Cayuga Rescue requested Perrysville Rescue to respond with their boat, and while they were in route, the two subjects emerged from the water. They had to wade in water above their waists to reach rescue personnel.

The two were identified as Steven and Lacy Kiger, ages 33 and 28, of Kingman, Indiana. Steven Kiger was the driver of a red 2004 Pontiac Grand Am, which was left disabled, in the roadway.
​
Kiger admitted to driving, westbound around the barricades that are placed on the east side of the River Bridge and that he had driven through the water eastbound the evening before, also around the barricades and the road closed signs.

Both received treatment at the scene from Vermillion County EMS, but refused transport or any additional treatment.

Steven Kiger was cited for disregarding a traffic control device at the scene, and may face additional charges.

Cayuga Rescue, Vermillion County EMS, Perrysville Rescue assisted investigating officer Tim DisPennett at the scene.