By MATT THACKER
Matt.Thacker@newsandtribune.com
NEW ALBANY —
An Elizabeth man was in court Friday charged with six felonies and three misdemeanors for a fatal multi-vehicle accident that occurred April 15 on Ind. 111 near Five Mile Lane.
Jeremy D. Carroll, 31, allegedly was driving with marijuana, benzodiazepines and methamphetamines in his system when he caused a crash that killed 32-year-old Nicholle Cain, of New Albany, as she was riding her motorcycle.
He was arrested on Thursday. Charges were filed after a blood test revealed the illegal narcotics in his system.
According to a police report, a 1993 Toyota Camry being driven by Carroll southbound on Ind. 111 crossed the center line into oncoming traffic. Witnesses said it appeared the Camry was going to pass another vehicle but it never moved back into its lane.
Four vehicles traveling northbound were involved in the wreck. Eight victims were taken to the hospital, and five, including Carroll, were considered seriously injured.
Ashley Eckart, 23, of Elizabeth, told others at the scene she was driving and fell asleep, but she later admitted it was her boyfriend. Police determined that injuries she sustained during the crash proved she was in the passenger’s seat.
“Jeremy Carroll stated he didn’t remember much about the crash and that he must have dozed off for a moment prior to,” Officer John Meacham wrote in the probable cause affidavit.
Esther Rivera, Cain’s mother, said that just before the crash she moved in with her daughter who wanted to take care of her. Instead, she is now left to take care of her daughter’s six children that range from 5-year-old twins to young teenagers.
Rivera, who wears a tube to help her breathe, said she is fighting to gain full custody of the children, but she is hurting financially.
“It’s just been terrible,” she said. “They took my child. They took my grandchildren’s mother. I hope they realize they need to get right with God.”
Judge Maria Granger ordered Carroll be held on $100,000 court cash or surety bond. Carroll indicated he has a lawyer who has represented him in other cases, but he has not entered an appearance in this case. An attorney status hearing was scheduled for Aug. 8.
Eckart was charged July 20 with class B misdemeanor false informing.
Carroll is charged with class B felonies causing death while operating a motor vehicle with a schedule I controlled substance in the blood and causing death while operating a motor vehicle with a schedule II controlled substance in the blood, four counts of class D felony causing serious bodily injury when operating a motor vehicle with a schedule I controlled substance in the blood, class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated endangering a person and class C misdemeanors operating with a schedule I controlled substance in the blood and operating a motor vehicle without ever receiving a license. He also is charged as a habitual offender.
Carroll said he has a broken back and asked to be allowed out of jail because he needs to consult with surgeons at the hospital. Granger said that matter could be addressed at the Aug. 8 hearing.
Carroll’s case is set to go to trial Sept. 13. If convicted on all charges, he could face more than 60 years in prison.
