AUSTIN – Troopers from the Indiana State Police Sellersburg District have arrested 25-year-old Dorothy J. Snell of Hanover on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from a fatal two-vehicle collision in May that resulted in the death of her 6-year-old daughter and injuries to Snell and three other individuals.
The collision occurred on Tuesday, May 13, at approximately 8:42 p.m. at the intersection of State Road 256 and U.S. 31. Officers from the Austin Police Department and Scott County Sheriff’s Department initially responded, with the Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Team taking over the investigation upon arrival.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2022 white Toyota Camry, traveling westbound on State Road 256, entered the intersection on a green light to turn south onto U.S. 31. Simultaneously, a 2008 Chrysler 300, driven by Snell, who was traveling northbound on U.S. 31, disregarded a red light and collided with the Toyota.
The driver and passenger of the Toyota were transported to the University of Louisville Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Snell and her front-seat passenger were taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. A 2-year-old child in the rear passenger seat of the Chrysler was transported to Norton Scott Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Tragically, Snell’s 6-year-old daughter, also in the backseat of the Chrysler, was transported to Norton Scott Hospital but later succumbed to her injuries.
Certified crash reconstructionist Tate Rohlfing continued the investigation, determining that Snell’s Chrysler 300 was exceeding the posted speed limit and ran the red light on US 31. The investigation also found that the 6-year-old child was not secured in a child safety seat or booster seat, but rather by a standard seat belt. Indiana law mandates that all children under the age of 8 use a child restraint system appropriate for their height and weight.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that Snell’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was above Indiana’s legal limit of 0.08%.
The case was submitted to the Scott County Prosecutor’s Office for review, leading to a warrant being issued for Snell on July 30, 2025. She faces the following charges:
- Neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a Level 1 felony
- Causing death when operating a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent (ACE) of .08 percent or more, a Level 4 felony
- Two counts of causing serious bodily injury when operating a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of .08 or more, Level 4 felony
- Neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury, a Level 5 felony
- Operating a vehicle while Intoxicated with a passenger less than 18 years of age, Level 6 felony
- Operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a previous conviction, Level 6 felony
- Operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of .15 or more is a Class A misdemeanor
Dorothy Snell was located and arrested by Troopers on the evening of July 30 and transported to the Scott County Jail.
The Austin Police Department, Scott County Sheriff’s Department, Scott County EMS, and the Scott County Coroner’s Office all assisted in the crash investigation.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the Probable Cause Affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
