Sheriff gives Central Indiana deputy credit for preventing additional injuries to the motorist

Everton, Indiana – The Fayette County sheriff says that a driver who had a medical emergency can thank a sheriff’s officer in central Indiana for saving him from a pickup truck and averting more injuries.

While on patrol on Sunday, Deputy Jake Lunsford came upon a fast-moving Ford F-150 pickup close to the intersection of County Road 375 South and State Road 1. That is approximately one mile north of the unincorporated village of Everton and three miles south of Connersville in a rural area of southwest Fayette County. It lies around midway between Cincinnati’s and Indianapolis’ downtowns.

On social media, Fayette County Sheriff Zac Jones stated that Lunsford saw the pickup suddenly halt in the oncoming lane. After speaking with the driver, Lunsford was informed of the medical issue.

“Due to the driver’s condition, he was pressing both the gas and brake pedals of the vehicle at the same time,” the sheriff wrote in his social media post. “The driver’s foot then came off the brake and the vehicle was heading towards a large embankment and utility pole.”

After stopping the car with his foot on the clutch pedal and turning off the engine, Lunsford attempted to clear the sick driver’s airway. Then Lunsford received assistance from Lt. Kevin Perry of the Connersville Police Department in removing the driver from the pickup.

In addition to not disclosing the man’s condition when emergency personnel removed him from the site, the post did not publicly identify the driver.

The sheriff wrote, “We would like to commend Deputy Lunsford on his selfless effort in preventing any further injury occurring to this gentleman. It is actions like this, which personify the true definition of what a police officer should be. Deputy Lunsford will be receiving an official commendation for his response to this incident.”

August marked Lunsford’s graduation from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. He was employed by Fayette County in October 2022. Prior to this, Lunsford worked as a reserve officer in Henry County, a police officer with the Liberty Police Department, and a jail guard in Fayette County. He resides in Fayette County and graduated from Connersville High School in 2019.