Published: August 20, 2009 09:48 pm         

Parke deputy undergoies spinal surgery

ROCKVILLE — An eight-year veteran of the Parke County Sheriff’s Department underwent surgery in Indianapolis on Wednesday for repair of extensive spinal injuries he received in an accident.

Sheriff’s Deputy James Awbrey was listed in fair condition at Methodist Hospital on Thursday.

Earlier in the week, he was involved in an on-duty motor vehicle accident in Vermillion County while on an escort detail for an oversized load of heavy equipment.

Awbrey was taken to Union Hospital-Clinton and then airlifted to Methodist because of serious internal injuries. Awbrey has served as a merit deputy and a jail officer.

“His family and friends request your continued prayers and thoughts as he continues his long recovery,” a Parke County Sheriff’s department news release stated.

An account has been established in Awbrey’s name at First Financial Bank, and donations can be made at any branch. Cards and letters can be dropped at or sent to the Parke County Sheriff’s Office for delivery to Awbrey and his family.

The sheriff’s department address is 458 W. Strawberry Road, Rockville, IN 47872.

The accident occurred on Indiana 63 about 1 1/2 miles north of U.S. 36, near Hillsdale.

The vehicle carrying the oversized load was pulling off the highway and Awbrey had stopped his police car in the driver’s lane of Indiana 63 to block traffic; emergency lights were on and a flagman also was out to caution drivers.

Awbrey’s police car was struck from behind by a pickup truck driven by Thomas Crouch, 57, of South Bend, who also was going south on the state highway.

Crouch had dropped a drink onto the floorboard of his truck and was trying to pick it up when he struck the rear driver’s side of Awbrey’s vehicle, according to the Vermillion County Sheriff’s Department, which investigated the accident. An Indiana State Police accident reconstructionist assisted.

Police reports will be forwarded to the Vermillion County prosecutor’s office, which will determine if any charges should be filed, said Bob Spence, Vermillion County sheriff.



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• Cards and letters can be dropped at or sent to the Parke County Sheriff’s Office for delivery to Awbrey and his family. The sheriff’s department address is 458 W. Strawberry Road, Rockville, IN 47872.