Elizabeth Bailey
Halloween took a somber turn early into the evening when a drunk driver struck and killed South Decatur Jr./Sr. High School health, science and physical education teacher Holly Bruns, 52.
An avid bike-rider, Bruns was traveling south on State Road 3 at around 4:30 p.m., half a mile south of the Decatur County line, when Don W. Beville, 42, 185 E. Co. Rd. 800 N., North Vernon, traveled onto the shoulder, hitting her from behind. According to Jennings County Deputy Coroner Tim Miller, Bruns was killed instantly.
According to police reports, Jennings County Dispatch received a call from the Columbus Police Department at 4:06 p.m., Friday, informing them of a Nissan that had been involved in a crash in Columbus and fled the scene in the direction of Jennings County. The victim of the Bartholomew County vehicle collision gave the Columbus police the license plate number of the vehicle, in which witnesses saw Beville sipping a beer as he drove away.
The Nissan was once again attempting to leave the scene after striking Bruns, but was stopped by arriving law enforcement, the police report stated.
Accident Reconstructionist Anthony Mayberry of the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office and Accident Reconstructionist Mark Helms of the Indiana State Police closed the roadway for several hours to investigate the crash, a Sheriff’s Office press release states.
Beville was arrested on felony charges of operating while intoxicated causing a death, having a blood alcohol level of .30 when tested at the St. Vincent’s Jennings Emergency Room. He was not injured.
He was booked into the Jennings County Jail with a bond of $75,500.
The case is being handled by Det. Sgt Jim Blevins and Dep. Karen McCoy. Jennings County Sheriff Steve Hoppock, Major Jerry Shepherd, Lt. Brian Talkington as well as Westport Fire, Local EMS, and members of the Jennings County Prosecutors and Coroners offices assisted at the scene.
Bruns had taught science and physical education for the past 29 years as an employee of Decatur County Community Schools. In addition to her work with students in the classroom, Bruns also coached varsity sports, leading teams to win softball and volleyball sectional tournaments. She sponsored the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National Junior Honor Society. South Decatur principal Bob Hacker sent a somber message to the school community, Saturday, informing everyone of Friday’s tragic event.
“We are extremely saddened at this time and pass our thoughts and prayers on to the Bruns family,” Hacker said. “We will have additional counseling resources available for students and staff when school resumes on Monday.”
