Also, IUK talks auroras, law enforcement memorial May 17, Click-it-or-Ticket starts May 20
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On May 8, emergency personnel were dispatched to a serious bodily injury accident on Ind. 931. A pedestrian identified as 20-year-old Braykale Robinson was struck by a vehicle heading northbound on the highway near the intersection with Country Lane.
An off-duty Cass County sheriff’s deputy and a physician passing by the scene stopped to render aid until assistance could arrive. The Kokomo Fire Department’s 2nd Platoon Engine 2 crew were the first responders, and according to information provided by the Kokomo Fire Department, Capt. Dan Sargent and firefighters Adam Shaffer and Matt Simpson were able to stabilize Robinson, who had suffered life-threatening injuries.
On May 14, the fire department issued a commendation for the three officers and their actions to save Robinson’s life. The victim was later transported to Indianapolis for further medical treatment.
“KFD crews are constantly working day in and day out to protect life, property, and environment,” said a statement from the fire department.
Firefighters Local 396 added its appreciation for the acts of its three members.
“While it’s just another day at the ‘office’ for guys on shift, it’s always nice to be recognized for a job well done,” the union stated. “Congratulations to these three gentlemen for taking quick action to save the patient. We truly have some of the best men and women in the fire service serving our community daily!”
IUK Observatory talks magnetic storms
Did you go out to try to see the northern lights last weekend? Learn more about the geomagnetic storm behind the fascinating display at the last IU Kokomo Observatory free open house of the academic year.
Patrick Motl, professor of physics, will begin the open house at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 19, with discussion about the geomagnetic storm and aurora. After the presentation, stargazers may be able to see the moon in the evening sky through the Observatory’s telescopes, a six-inch Takahashi refracting telescope and a 16-inch Meade reflecting telescope mounted together.
The Takahashi provides exceptionally sharp images of planets, while the Meade allows viewers to see fainter objects in the sky due to its larger light-collecting area.
With the summer triangle constellations starting to rise at 6 p.m., viewers may also be able to see open star clusters like Praesepe (the beehive cluster) and globular star clusters like M3 and M13 in the springtime skies.
Observation will continue through 10 p.m., weather permitting. The Observatory is at 2660 S. Washington Street. Free parking is available on campus.
Law enforcement memorial service Friday
The Kokomo Police Department shall commemorate Fallen Officers Memorial Day with a ceremony to honor those who have given the supreme sacrifice as law enforcement officers. The ceremony shall be conducted Friday, May 17, at 2 p.m. at City Hall in the Council Chambers.
Click It or Ticket Campaign May 20 - June 2
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging drivers to buckle up ahead of a national Click It or Ticket high-visibility seat belt enforcement effort. The national seat belt campaign, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, runs from May 20 to June 2, 2024.
“We want seat belt use to be an automatic habit for drivers and passengers alike,” said Kokomo Police Chief Douglas Stout. “It’s not just a safe thing to do — it’s the law. During the Click It or Ticket campaign, we’ll be working with our fellow law enforcement officers across local and state lines to ensure the message gets out to drivers and passengers.
“Buckling up is the simplest thing you can do to limit injury or save your life during a crash. We see the results of not wearing a seat belt all the time. We see the loss of life. So often, it could have been prevented.”
The national seat belt use rate in 2023 was 91.9 percent, which is good — but it can be better. The other 8.1 percent still need to be reminded that seat belts save lives. Participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night.
A focus of the Click It or Ticket campaign is nighttime enforcement. NHTSA data shows a higher number of unrestrained passenger vehicle occupant fatalities happen at night. Also, seat belt use differs among females and males. Of the males killed in crashes in 2021, more than half (54 percent) were unrestrained. For females killed in crashes, 42 percent were not buckled up.
“If the enforcement effort alerts people to the dangers of unrestrained driving, we’ll consider our mission to be a success,” said Stout. “If you know a friend or a family member who does not buckle up when they drive, please ask them to consider changing their habits. Help us spread this lifesaving message before one more friend or family member is killed as a result of this senseless inaction. Seat belts save lives, and everyone — front seat and back, child and adult — needs to remember to buckle up.”