On Thursday, April 19, 2018 at approximately 11:41 A.M. Jasper County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a serious injury accident involving farm machinery in the area of County Road 200 North and County Road 1100 West. The reporting party indicated a male subject had been struck by a large front end loader and was possibly deceased.
Upon arrival of Jasper County Sheriffs’ Deputies they located a male subject who was lying in a work area of the Windy Ridge Dairy who was obviously deceased due to severe head trauma.
Investigation by Deputies revealed that Matthew V. Houmes, age 35 of Veedersburg, Indiana was operating a John Deere front end loader and removing large bales of straw from two flatbed semi-trucks. While this was being completed the victim identified as Brian E. Keller, age 50 of Veedersburg, Indiana was walking in the work area while his truck was being unloaded.
Houmes was backing the front end loader and failed to see Keller who had walked behind the loader and was struck by the left rear tire which knocked him to the ground and ran over his upper torso and head. Investigation also revealed that Keller had ear buds on and had failed to hear the loader backing toward him.
Keller was pronounced dead at the scene by Jasper County Coroner’s Office and his remains were released to that office. No evidence of impairment was observed on Houmes and a certified blood test was initiated per Indiana Code requirement.
By Terry J. Risner Sheriff