Charlestown man charged after teen hit by car; safety being reviewed near Silver Creek schools

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A southern Indiana driver is behind bars for allegedly being impaired when he hit a 15-year-old boy Thursday afternoon.

Sellersburg Police Chief Russ Whelan said David Jeremy Via, of Charlestown, was driving under the influence of drugs when he allegedly hit the student. The incident happened about 2:30 p.m. at U.S. 31 and County Road 403 near Silver Creek Middle and High School.

On Friday, Via was in Clark County Circuit Court, where Judge Brad Jacobs entered a not guilty plea on his behalf and set a $5,000 cash bond. Via is scheduled back in court for an initial hearing on Jan. 21

Whelan said the SRO was nearby and ran to the scene to administer first aid. He said the student was conscious and alert after being hit. He was taken by ambulance to the UofL Health Hospital in downtown Louisville.

The Silver Creek principal sent an email to parents Friday that said the student was alert and medically stable. It said he was scheduled for surgery, but there was no further information on his injuries.

Safety concerns near the school

After the accident, the Town of Sellersburg posted on social media it was looking at the safety of the intersection.

The post said there were longstanding concerns about safety by the town, Silver Creek School Corporation and the Indiana Department of Transportation.

INDOT manages the intersection with U.S. 31, and transportation officials said they were reviewing temporary safety measures until the intersection is removed as part of the planned U.S. 31 Rehabilitation Project.

The post said discussions Thursday involved Sellersburg Police, school officials and others to see what could be done immediately. Possible solutions could include adding crossing guards and reviewing how vehicles and students are released from the school campus.

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