HANCOCK COUNTY — A Greenfield man who was involved in a car crash in October that killed a New Palestine mother of four has been charged in her death.
Andrew Joseph Akers, 26, whose address was listed in the first block of Cherry Street in Greenfield, was arrested Tuesday, Dec. 1, after being charged with five crimes. Akers is facing a Level 5 felony count of reckless homicide; two Level 5 felony counts of battery resulting in serious bodily injury; and two Level 6 felony counts of criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon. The most serious charge carries a sentence of up to six years in prison.
Investigators determined Akers was under the influence at the time of the collision, according to a probable cause affidavit that also blamed Akers for causing the crash in which Katherine Weaver, 30, was killed.
The crash occurred on Oct. 4. Akers was driving a 2001 Kia Optima at about 6 a.m. on U.S. 52 east of New Palestine when his car collided head-on with a Chevrolet sedan driven by James Ridenour, 40, New Palestine.
Weaver was a front-seat passenger in Ridenour’s car.
Evidence at the scene and discussions with both drivers indicate the Kia was eastbound on U.S. 52 and moved into the path of the westbound Chevrolet, officials said. Ridenour told deputies he did not have time to try to avoid the collision; skid marks indicated he tried to get out of the way at the last second, investigators noted.
The collision happened in the 3500 block of West U.S. 52, between County Roads 300W and 400W.
Both drivers also were injured and were transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital. Akers suffered injuries to the right side of his body. Ridenour suffered numerous injuries, including internal ones.
Tests at the hospital showed the presence of amphetamines and alcohol in Akers’ system, the affidavit said.
Akers told investigators from the county’s Fatal Accident Crash Team that his power steering had malfunctioned, which caused his car to cross the center line. He also said he was distracted shortly before the crash because he was looking for his phone.
Investigators looking through Akers’ vehicle found a bottle of tequila with only a small amount of alcohol left in it, the affidavit said.
Police also were able to get records of Akers’ cell phone and found he was using his phone while driving along U.S. 52 prior to the crash, the report stated.
At the time of the accident, an arrest warrant was pending against Akers after he had failed to appear in Hancock County Superior Court 2 for a hearing in September regarding court payments and fines stemming from a guilty plea in a criminal case last spring. Judge Dan Marshall had issued a warrant for his arrest Sept. 23.
Akers is still listed as an inmate in the county jail after his initial appearance in Hancock County Superior Court 1. Court Commissioner Cody Coombs set bond at $20,000 cash and set a pretrial hearing for January.
