Last week the drivers of both vehicles involved in the August crash that led to the death of Ashlea Albertson, 24, of Greenfield, were arrested on charges related to the crash, according to Indiana State Police Sgt. Stephen Wheeles.
The investigation by the ISP Crash Reconstruction Team indicated that on August 18, a black 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, being driven by Austin Cooper, 22, of Austin at the time of the crash, was traveling northbound in the right lane of I-65 near the 48-mile marker. A white 2018 GMC Terrain, being driven by Jacob Kelly, 31, of Indianapolis, was traveling northbound in the left lane of I-65 at the same location. Evidence from the scene, including video footage captured by another vehicle, indicated that the two drivers began accelerating rapidly and refused to allow the other vehicle to pass.
Cooper’s vehicle then began to change lanes into the path of Kelly’s vehicle. Kelly lost control of his vehicle and spun, which resulted in the two vehicles colliding in the middle of the northbound lanes. Kelly’s vehicle rolled, which resulted in his female passenger, Albertson, to be ejected from the vehicle. Cooper’s vehicle left the east side of the roadway and came to rest in a field.
Kelly and Albertson were both flown from the scene to University of Louisville Hospital for treatment. After arriving at the hospital, Albertson was pronounced deceased. Kelly was treated for injuries and later released from the hospital. Cooper and a juvenile passenger were transported to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour where they were both treated for non-life-threatening injuries and later released.
The post-crash investigation determined that the vehicles were traveling next to each other when both drivers accelerated to speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour at the time of the crash. Toxicology results were obtained on both drivers after the crash. The results of those tests indicated that Austin Cooper had THC in his system when the crash occurred.
At the conclusion of the investigation, the case was presented to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office for review, Wheeles reported. As a result, Austin Cooper was charged with causing death when operating a motor vehicle with a controlled substance and reckless homicide, both felonies.
Jacob Kelly was charged with the felony of Reckless Homicide
On Monday, Nov. 27, Kelly was arrested without incident in Indianapolis. On Tuesday, Nov. 28, Austin Cooper, now of Morganfield, Kentucky, turned himself in at the Jackson County Jail in Brownstown.
Both individuals will soon have initial appearances in the Jackson County Circuit Court.