Elkhart Man Arrested For Causing DeathAn Elkhart man was arrested Friday after an accident in April that left a woman dead.
James Charles Lewis, 44, Elkhart, is charged with causing death while operating a vehicle, a Level 4 felony; causing serious bodily injury while operating a vehicle, a Level 5 felony; with an enhancement for causing serious bodily injury while operating a vehicle, a Level 4 felony.
Lewis was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 5:36 p.m. Friday. His bond was preliminary set at $40,750.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed July 20, on April 10, at approximately 10:23 p.m., Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a multi-vehicle fatal crash in the area of 4782 S. Ind. 15, Claypool. Deputies observed a green Chevy Suburban and a black Ford Explorer truck in the roadway with extensive front-end damage.
According to the affidavit, the Suburban was operated by Donald Galbraith with a front-seat passenger identified as Sandra Galbraith. Both were entrapped in the vehicle.
Deputies spoke with Lewis, who admitted to operating the Explorer and said he was travelling north from Wabash after fishing with a friend. Deputies asked Lewis what happened during the accident. According to the affidavit, Lewis said he fell asleep.
Deputies observed several empty beer cans on the driver’s floorboard and bed of the truck, as well as a small bottle of Fireball whiskey. Deputies smelled the odor of alcohol on Lewis, who said he consumed three beers at a friend’s residence one or two hours before the accident.
Lewis allegedly suffered lower extremity injuries during the accident and could not perform several field sobriety tests, according to the affidavit. Lewis did consent to the horizontal gaze field sobriety test, which he allegedly failed.
Lewis provided a blood sample for a certified test, which showed the presence of methamphetamine and THC at the time of the accident, according to court documents.
Donald Galbraith was unconscious with extensive injuries following the accident and was transported to the hospital. Sandra Galbraith was pronounced dead at the scene by the Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office from injuries suffered during the crash.
Deputies spoke with Donald Galbraith on May 31 and he said he was traveling south on Ind. 15 when another vehicle, headed north on Ind. 15, entered into his lane of travel, colliding with his Suburban head-on.
According to the affidavit, Lewis was previously convicted of operating a vehicle while intoxicated in Elkhart County on June 13, 2017. Lewis also was convicted of possession of cocaine or a narcotic drug in Elkhart County on March 10, 2005.
