Charges filed in fatal 2014 crash

Sept. 13--MUNCIE -- An Indianapolis woman has been charged with two felonies relating to a fatal accident on Interstate 69 in 2014 that claimed the life of her granddaughter.

Donna Randolph, 42, has been charged in Delaware County with reckless homicide and causing death while operating a vehicle under the influence, both Class C felonies.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed by the Delaware County Prosecutor's office, Randolph tested positive for alcohol following the crash. She also had marijuana in her system during the crash in June 2014. Her blood alcohol content at the time of the crash was 0.04, less than the Indiana legal limit of 0.08.

Investigators have determined, according to the affidavit, that Randolph was responsible for the crash, which occurred just south of Exit 234 on June 3, 2014. The crash was caused by events set into motion by Randolph, according to the affidavit.

According to a crash investigation report, Randolph was heading south on Interstate 69 and turned into an emergency U-turn lane on the highway because she thought her tire had gone flat.

Randolph told police she got out of her Chrysler 300 and checked the tire before getting back on the highway. Once back on the highway, she thought her tire had again gone flat and slowed down.

Investigators believe she was traveling 10 to 20 mph while still in a lane of travel heading north on I-69. The car she was driving was struck from behind by a truck driven by Harold Shemberger and flipped violently before coming to rest.

Randolph and five other passengers were taken to hospitals for treatment. Randolph's 4-year-old granddaughter, Tavionna Ford, died from her injuries.

Reports show Ford was not in a child booster seat at the time of the crash.

Randolph admitted to officers that she had smoked marijuana the morning of the accident and taken a drink of beer, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Shemberger, 72, was driving the Dodge pickup truck and his wife, Rosemary, 76, was a passenger. They are both from Michigan.

Although Shemberger struck the back of Randolph's car, the affidavit states investigating officers believe Shemberger was unable to avoid the collision because of the slow rate of speed Randolph was traveling.

The accident spawned two lawsuits; one in Marion County, where Monique Ford, a passenger in Randolph's car and the mother of Tavionna, sued Shemberger.

The second lawsuit was filed in Delaware County by Shemberger against Randolph and an insurance company.

Both cases were consolidated into one Delaware County case in August. The case is scheduled for mediation on Jan. 28, 2016.

A warrant has been issued for Randolph's arrest, but it is unclear if she has been arrested. She is not currently housed in the Delaware County jail or the Marion County jail.

The Delaware County Prosecutor did not respond to calls from The Herald Bulletin seeking comment. No hearing dates for Randolph have been set.

Follow Zach Osowski on Twitter @Osowski_THB, or call 640-4847.

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