Full Notification

***Update #2*** Public’s Help Needed in Death Investigation-Arrest Made

Washington County-This morning, detectives from the Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg and Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies acted on a tip that led them to a Salem man whom the tipster stated was responsible for the death of Mitchell Lovins.

Investigators spoke to Derek A. Deaton, 22, from North Canton Road in Salem, and after speaking with him, they placed him under arrest. He was charged with Leaving the Scene of a Crash Resulting in a Death, Level Five Felony.

At the time of the hit and run Derek A. Deaton was driving a red 1995 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck.

Derek A. Deaton was incarcerated at the Washington County Jail awaiting his first court appearance.

***Media Note*** A photo of Derek A. Deaton is attached to this news release.

-30-

Sgt. Jerry D. Goodin

All Subjects Are Innocent Until Proven Guilty in a Court of Law

Prior Updates and the initial news release is listed below.

***UPDATE #1*** Public’s Help Needed in Death Investigation

Washington County-An autopsy was completed today on the body found at approximately 3:30 am this morning on State Road #56 near Quaker Lane east of Salem in Washington County. The preliminary results from the autopsy revealed the male to be Mitchell Lovins, 70 years of age, from Scottsburg, IN. The preliminary cause of death was ruled as massive trauma to his body.

The preliminary investigation revealed sometime around 3:00 am this morning Mitchell Lovin’s vehicle, a mini-van, slid off of the roadway going west on State Road #56. When this occurred it appears Mitchell Lovins left his vehicle and started walking east on State Road #56 where it appears he was struck by another vehicle.

This continues to be a death investigation with investigators still looking for the vehicle which struck and killed Mitchell Lovins.

If anyone has information on this hit and run you are encouraged to contact the Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg at 1-800-872-6743 or 812-246-5424. 

-30-

Sgt. Jerry D. Goodin

Initial Release Listed Below

Public’s Help Needed in Death Investigation

Washington County-On January 10th between the hours of 3:00 am and 3:30 am, a driver on State Road #56 near Quaker Lane in Washington County spotted a male human body in the roadway. The driver immediately contacted the police.

When troopers arrived at the scene they immediately called for detectives and crime scene investigators.

At this time, Indiana State Police Detectives are waiting on autopsy results to determine positive identification of the body and the cause of death.

If anyone was in the area of State Road #56 and Quaker Lane in Washington County between the hours of 3:00 am and 3:30 am this morning and saw a person or persons, vehicles or anything at all, you are encouraged to contact the Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg at 1-800-872-6743 or 812-246-5424. Callers can remain anonymous.

An autopsy is scheduled for today at the Washington County Hospital in Salem, IN. Quaker Lane is approximately 1.8 miles east of the Salem City Limits on State Road #56.

No further information will be released until after the autopsy is complete. -30-

Sgt. Jerry D. Goodin

All Subjects are Innocent Until and Unless Proven Guilty in a Court of Law