*OFFICIAL RELEASE-August 2, 2025*
Versailles Man Killed in Ripley County Crash
Yesterday, August 1, 2025, Troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post were requested to respond to US 421 (South Adams Street) at Clearview Lane, in Versailles, Indiana to investigate a two-vehicle crash that resulted in the death of a Ripley County man.
The initial investigation by the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post Crash Reconstruction Team indicated that shortly before 9:00 am, a 2022 Kymco motor scooter, being driven by Paul R. Schwarte, age 71, Versailles, Indiana was traveling eastbound on Clearview Lane, approaching US 421. Schwarte’s vehicle entered US 421 into the path of a northbound 2004 Mack Dump Truck, being driven by Thomas Sheets, age 40, Versailles, Indiana.
Schwarte’s vehicle struck the driver’s side of Sheets’ vehicle. Schwarte was ejected from the vehicle as a result of the collision. While Sheets was uninjured in the crash, tragically Schwarte sustained fatal injuries. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Ripley County Coroner’s Office.
Due to the nature of the crash, initial responding officers from the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office requested that Indiana State Police Crash Reconstructionists respond to the scene to investigate the crash.
Toxicology results are pending although alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be factors in the crash.
The investigation remains ongoing. The family of Paul Schwarte has been notified.
Troopers from the ISP-Versailles Post, Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, Versailles Police Department, Ripley County EMS, Versailles Fire Department, and Ripley County Coroner’s Office assisted at the scene.
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