BEDFORD – A Bedford man surrendered himself to police after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Dakota Sykes, 19, faces charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, OWI endangerment, OWI, illegal consumption and driving at an unreasonable speed.
Jannessa Ikerd, 20, of Bedford, was killed in a single-vehicle accident in the 3800 block of Huron Williams Road on Sunday, May 9.
When Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department deputies arrived they found a 2001 Ford Taurus driven by Sykes, 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 and head 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.
Sykes was airlifted to the University of Louisville Hospital for treatment.
Bedford Fire Department extrication along with Indiana State Police troopers, Huron Volunteer Fire Department first responders, two IU Health ambulances crews and a Seals ambulance crew assisted at the scene.
On May 10th a warrant was issued to remove the airbags, restraint module and for DNA. The module showed neither Ikerd or Sykes was wearing a seatbelt.
Also on May 10th a search warrant was issued for bodily fluids from Sykes. That warrant was served and samples collected at U of L Hospital.
A witness to the accident said the car was found wedged between two trees. Sykes was the driver and Ikerd the passenger. Sykes had suffered a laceration to his head. He was able to crawl out the back door. He and the witness then pried the door open with a shovel. The witness said Sykes had been drinking.
On June 9th, investigators received the results of the toxicology report from Sykes’ blood draw. He had consumed alcohol. The result was 0.124.
A warrant was then issued for Sykes arrest.
