Bartholomew County Man Killed in Head on Collison

Crash remains under investigation

Ripley County-  July 30, 2022, at approximately 4:00 pm, Troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post began investigating a two-vehicle crash that occurred on State Road 129, just south of Versailles, that claimed the life of a Bartholomew County, Indiana man.

The initial investigation by Master Trooper Ben Bastin indicated that a blue 2006 Ford F-350, being driven by Rebecca R. Ashcraft, age 68, Vevay, Indiana, was traveling northbound on State Road 129 near Benham Road in Ripley County.  For an unknown reason, Ashcraft’s vehicle crossed the centerline into the path of a southbound silver 2015 Ford Escape, being driven by Lenord R. Sheldon Jr., age 66, Elizabethtown, Indiana.  The vehicles collided head-on in the southbound lanes of State Road 129.

As a result of the collision, Sheldon sustained fatal injuries.  He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Ripley County Coroner’s Office.  Lenord Sheldon’s wife, Beth A. Sheldon, age 59, who was a passenger in his vehicle, sustained serious injuries.  She was transported by medical helicopter to University of Cincinnati Hospital for further treatment.  Ashcraft was transported to Margaret Mary Hospital in Batesville, Indiana where she was treated for minor injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.  Toxicology results are pending at this time.

Trooper Bastin was assisted by crash reconstructionists from the Indiana State Police-Versailles and Sellersburg Posts as well as numerous additional troopers from the ISP-Versailles Post.

The Ripley County Sheriff’s Department, Holton Police Department, Versailles Fire Department, Ripley County EMS, Stat Flight, and the Ripley County Coroner’s Office also assisted