Young woman dies in accident on Huron Williams Road

HURON – Jannessa Ikerd, of Bedford, was killed in a single-vehicle accident in the 3800 block of Huron Williams Road Sunday night.

Deputies from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department and members of the FACT team responded at 7:07 p.m.

When officers arrived they found a 2001 Ford Taurus being driven by 19-year-old Dakota Sykes, of Bedford had left the left side of the roadway and was “wrapped around a tree on the east side of the roadway.”

Officers and first responders found Sykes outside of the vehicle and Ikerd unresponsive and trapped inside.

Ikerd who suffered internal injuries was pronounced dead at the scene. Sykes suffered chest injuries and was flown by a medical helicopter from the scene to a Louisville Hospital for treatment.

Sykes, who was driving a vehicle belonging to Ikerd’s family, told officers he had been drinking before the accident and didn’t know what happened.

“Due to the department’s accident reconstructionist not being available, an Indiana State Police Accident reconstructionist was called to the scene,” said Chief Deputy Gregg Taylor. “The driver was airlifted to a Louisville Hospital. At this time the accident remains under investigation.”

Bedford Fire Department extrication was on the scene along with Indiana State Police troopers, Huron Volunteer Fire Department first responders, and two IU Health ambulances crews and a Seals ambulance crew assisted at the scene.

The road was closed while investigators worked the accident.