A 21-year-old Crothersville man has been charged in connection with a wreck in May that left a 3-year-old local girl dead.
Brent Allen Sawyer
Brent Allen Sawyer of Crothersville was booked into the Jackson County Jail at 11:37 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, on a charge of causing death when operating a vehicle with a controlled substance in the blood.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed by the Jackson County Prosecutor’s office, the ISP toxicology report on Sawyer’s blood following the accident tested negative for alcohol and positive of THC (marijuana).
The accident occurred around 12:40 a.m. on May 13 that resulted in the death of Tavaya A. Bevers. who was riding in a child car seat in the rear seat of a 2003 Ford Windstar van driven by her father, Devin P. Bevers, 30, of Crothersville.
According to the report by the Indiana State Police, Sawyer was southbound on US 31 near County Road 500 S north of Crothersville in a 2006 Jeep Liberty, when he crossed the centerline into the path of a northbound Bevers. According to police Bevers attempted to avoid the collision be turning into the southbound lane. Police said Sawyer steered his vehicle back into the southbound lane then the collision occurred.
The vehicles struck each other on the passenger sides.
Sawyer was released from jail on Monday, Aug. 15 after posting a $4,005 bond, according to jail records. He has an Oct. 3 court appearance scheduled.
On June 10, in Jackson Superior Court, Tonia Miller, mother of Tavaya Bevers, filed a wrongful death suit against Brent Sawyer and Devin P. Bevers in connection with the May 13 fatal accident.