Head-on collision results in one fatality on U.S. 36

Thursday, August 1, 2013
Banner Graphic/ LAUREN BOUCHER
A Wednesday afternoon crash on U.S. 36 in Bainbridge, resulted in a fatality after the driver of a GMC Envoy (right photo) crossed left of center heading eastbound and struck a 2007 Dodge Cablier.

BAINBRIDGE -- A Bainbridge woman is dead following a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 36 in Bainbridge on Wednesday afternoon.

Naomi Barker, 84, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which was just west of County Road 100 East near 1114 E. U.S. 36. The other driver, 28-year-old Jocelyn Pollard of Pittsboro, was transported via Operation Life to Hendricks Regional with non-life-threatening injuries.

Preliminary investigations by Sgt. Jon Chadd of the Putnam County Sheriff's Department and fellow deputies Lt. Donnie Pettit, Col. Tom Helmer and Deputy Josh Boller indicate that at approximately 1:13 p.m., Pollard's vehicle was traveling westbound on U.S. 36 when she noticed Barker driving left of center.

"She was left of center for some distance," explained Chadd. "The westbound vehicle (Pollard) was nearly stopped."

Chadd went on to explain that Barker's vehicle continued left of center and struck Pollard's 2007 Dodge Caliber head-on. She then continued to drive off the road on the north side, flipping her 2006 GMC Envoy.

"She just shot straight across," Chadd said. "Preliminary indications are that it was a medical issue prior to impact, but autopsy is scheduled to be performed tomorrow."

Pollard was talking and conscious at the scene before being transported to Hendricks Regional.

"She was talking and conscious," said Chadd. "It looked like lower extremity injuries, possibly a broken ankle."

Barker was a well-known resident in Bainbridge and a former Town Council member. She served on the council from January 2004 to the end of her term in 2011.

Barker was also the owner of Video Tan as well in the LaundryMat in Bainbridge.

Following the crash, INDOT workers kept the road closed for two-and-a-half hours before opening it just after 4 p.m.

Banner Graphic/LAUREN BOUCHER

Assisting at the scene were Roachdale Fire Department, Roachdale EMH, Operation Life, Bainbridge Fire Department, Indiana State Police and Bainbridge Police Department personnel.

Courtesy of Jon Chadd
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  • How could you print these pictures in the paper...did you ever think of the family? How they are hurting and don't need to see this car on its top???

    -- Posted by terrysbear on Thu, Aug 1, 2013, at 1:06 AM
  • Terrysbear--whenever any newspaper shows car wrecks with fatalities, do you write comments there complaining? Granted nothing happens in Bainbridge this is news nonetheless. You need to get a grip.

    -- Posted by donantonioelsabio on Thu, Aug 1, 2013, at 7:41 AM
  • Really Donantonioelsabio? You are just a bit out of line...NAOMI BARKER IS MY GRANDMOTHER YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TELL ME TO GET A GRIP.....you do not know the pain my family is enduring at this moment. So maybe YOU need to get a grip....how about we make "news" out of a tragedy in your family...

    -- Posted by terrysbear on Thu, Aug 1, 2013, at 7:57 AM
  • Naomi Barker was a great women and will be missed by all who knew her

    -- Posted by 1stamendrights. on Thu, Aug 1, 2013, at 8:39 AM
  • I would believe the family in their grief would have many questions as to what happened. The pictures may help answer those questions. This is just my opinion.

    -- Posted by valdostas on Thu, Aug 1, 2013, at 8:40 AM
  • Naomi you will be missed so dearly. Who can we go to and just sit and visit and just talk about anything? Always ready to help anyone you can. Heaven got them selves a wonderful, kind hearted and loved person in Naomi.

    -- Posted by Mystery1 on Thu, Aug 1, 2013, at 9:16 AM
  • Terrysbear--how could I have known she is your grandmother??? Sorry I rattled your nerves.

    .how about we make "news" out of a tragedy in your family... My family is a tragedy. Insanity does run in our family, it gallops.

    -- Posted by donantonioelsabio on Thu, Aug 1, 2013, at 12:16 PM
  • My son phoned me this morning with the news. My husband and I always referred to Naomi as "Mom"...as did many in Bainbridge. We will be lighting a candle tonight at 9:00, as well.

    My first thought after the terrible news was that she and Cal are reunited.

    ~tears~ and (((HUGS))) to Teddysbear

    -- Posted by Carla Hurst-Chandler on Thu, Aug 1, 2013, at 1:35 PM
  • My deepest sympathy to Naomi's family.she was a lovely and kind lady.

    Donantonioelsabio- you couldn't have known it was a relative. But that is the exact reason why people like you should not post or make insensitive comments especially on something so tragic. You thought you had a valid point and wanted to feel so superior to someone. But now you look and feel very small, as you should. Of course her family will click on this link to feel the support from family, friends, and decent people in the community.

    -- Posted by Tonka on Thu, Aug 1, 2013, at 2:22 PM
  • "Donantonioelsabio- you couldn't have known it was a relative. But that is the exact reason why people like you should not post or make insensitive comments especially on something so tragic. You thought you had a valid point and wanted to feel so superior to someone."

    Wow!!! I was not trying to be insensitive to anyone. Your problem is you are "thin skin".

    This is a public forum and why should I be censured???

    -- Posted by donantonioelsabio on Thu, Aug 1, 2013, at 3:01 PM
  • As another grand daughter Im okay with the photos it helps to processes the reality for me. I can't believe she's gone. I thought we would all be around her hospital bed saying goodbye and such. Thanks to all that had the candle light vigil I have always had to "share" with an entire community who call her mom grandma freind or something else maybe I had a little jealousy as a child "sharing" my grandma haha not understanding but I'm thankful now for my extended family support. Thanks to all again in this difficult time for your love and support. And to the people that stopped at the scene and held her hand until the Lord Jesus took her home. Carrie Chastain Bray.

    -- Posted by medicfrog on Thu, Aug 1, 2013, at 6:05 PM
  • Did the accident take place in the town of Bainbridge? I cannot tell from the pics.

    -- Posted by donantonioelsabio on Thu, Aug 1, 2013, at 11:11 PM
  • Just outside by that little craft place westside of town

    -- Posted by medicfrog on Thu, Aug 1, 2013, at 11:33 PM
  • I can't believe these comments.. terrysbear & Tonka your comments are hateful & they are no better. This sad news article is about a descent- friendly person I knew a long time ago and she wouldn't appreciate any of this DRAMA! Every vehicle crash article has pics of vehicles. The pics were not morbid or gory.. My heart goes out to the family..

    -- Posted by SimplyAmazed on Thu, Aug 1, 2013, at 5:10 PM

    Let me respond by saying I am not the one who started the so called DRAMA you speak of. I do realize there are pictures of accidents posted in the newspaper daily, I do not feel what I said was hateful and do take offense of that accusation, I also take offense to the insensitive nature of many people here. I merely stated that i did not feel these pics were appropriate so soon after her tragic accident, at 1 am when I saw the pictures they caused me to continue in my melt down of the news. Now with the small town drama and insensitivity of so many people my family must endure more heartache than the normal loss of a dear loved one. My grandma was the most kind hearted woman on earth and she loved EVERYONE not just HER children and grandchildren but YOURS as well, therefore simplyamazed and everyone else with all your insensitive cruel remarks take a step back and ask yourselves how this would all make Naomi feel and then find it in your heart to look your neighbor in the eye and say hello and i love you just as my grandma did on a daily basis, then and only then can you say you loved my grandma as much as i did. love and compassion is what she was all about. caring for others was her passion, she had no room in her heart for hatred or insensitivity. I LOVE YOU GRAMMA RIP, I miss you dearly but am peaceful in the fact that I know you are with Grandpa Cal once again and the angels are singing their praises welcoming you home and reuniting the two of you again.

    -- Posted by terrysbear on Fri, Aug 2, 2013, at 7:00 AM
  • Lit a candle for both of them last night.

    I wish her huge Christmas Display that my children grew up with...and then my grandchildren enjoyed... could become a seasonal display at the Putnam County Museum along with her photograph and toy collection from all the kids in Bainbridge.

    A "Forever" Memorial.

    -- Posted by Carla Hurst-Chandler on Fri, Aug 2, 2013, at 8:34 AM
  • After reading her obit I now know who she is. It's been over 30 years since I lived there and had lost contact with many people.

    -- Posted by donantonioelsabio on Fri, Aug 2, 2013, at 6:52 PM
  • Carla, I think that is a wonderful idea about her Christmas Displays, My Grandma's love for Christmas over the years has spilled over into me! i loved how she put up her displays every year and the smile on her face every time someone made a comment about it! the best part is she could tell you where EVERY item came from or who gave it to her! I remember last year it was almost Christmas and she didnt have her Santa and Mrs Clause up in the big window yet when I stopped in to see her so I asked her why and she said she was just too tired so my husband and i helped her to put it together along with one of her many towns people (I forget now who he was) but he stopped in to rent a movie and jumped in to help! I will always cherish that memory and all the Christmas's we spent together. Thank you for helping to recall so many wonderful memories! I am going to mention to my family your suggestion. Hugs....Terrysbear aka Carla Rosselot Naomi's granddaughter :)

    -- Posted by terrysbear on Fri, Aug 2, 2013, at 11:18 PM
  • Naomi was the first person to welcome us to the town when we moved there 5 years ago. Even after we moved away we still made the trip into Bainbridge for our movie rentals just so we could talk to her.

    We will never forget what a special person she was and will always remember her driving around town in her golf cart waving to everyone and stopping in near the holidays to see her fantastic Christmas display.

    She will be deeply missed.

    -- Posted by N. Putnam resident on Fri, Aug 2, 2013, at 11:52 PM
  • I have been back and forth since graduation in 1987 and its always sad when you hear these things I try to keep up on goons on since moving to our school system in the 3rd grade...one question I have for the family of you don't mind...did something medically happen to her for this to happen? I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss, lately our family have suffered to many losses ourselves so be sure I'm with you in prayer and faith...God Bless

    -- Posted by lililay3_nphs87 on Thu, Aug 15, 2013, at 7:28 PM
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