State briefs

Three crew members were in the CareFlight helicopter, en route to a two-vehicle accident involving two pickup trucks that occurred around 4:15 a.m. in Milford Township, according to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office. The aircraft was approaching the scene when it crashed into the power lines and went down.

According to a statement issued by CareFlight, no patients were in the aircraft, which was being operated by Air Methods, and the crew members were able to safely exit the helicopter. The cause of the crash will be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Butler County Chief Deputy Anthony Dwyer told WXIX-TV that one crew member suffered “an unknown injury” and was taken to a hospital. The other two crew members were treated at the scene for minor injuries, and authorities said all three were expected to fully recover. Their names have not been released.

Authorities said a 69-year-old woman from Richmond, Indiana, was pronounced dead at the scene of the vehicle accident. A 43-year-old woman was also hospitalized with serious injuries and two other people were being treated for undisclosed minor injuries. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Suspended southern Indiana judge resigns, won’t seek again

INDIANAPOLIS — A southern Indiana judge suspended after being arrested on a felony for hitting someone while a child watched has agreed to resign and won’t seek future judicial office, the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications said Monday.

Crawford Circuit Court Judge Sabrina Bell also is voluntarily forfeiting her law license for 150 days, the commission said.

The Indiana Supreme Court suspended Bell in May when felony charges related to a domestic dispute were filed against her by a special prosecutor.

Indiana State Police arrested Bell in May on a charge of domestic battery in the presence of a child less than 16 years old. The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred in Crawford County on April 12. Police did not say who Bell battered.

Bell also served a 30-day suspension in 2019 for her involvement in a downtown Indianapolis fight and double-shooting that followed a night of bar-hopping.

The seven-member commission investigates alleged ethical misconduct by judges. If the commission believes misconduct has occurred, it can file public formal disciplinary charges.