Osgood man killed in ripley county crash — Crime scene investigation - File Photo.

Napoleon, Ind – On Saturday, at approximately 9:00 am, troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post responded to a two-vehicle crash on US 421, just south of Napoleon, Indiana that resulted in the death of a 53 year old Ripley County man.

The investigation by Master Trooper Daniel Elmore, Indiana State Police-Versailles Post, indicated that a 2000 Jeep being driven by Norman P. Kappes, age 53, Osgood, Indiana was traveling northbound on US 421, just south of Michigan Road. For an unknown reason, Kappes’ vehicle crossed the centerline into the path of a 2015 Kenworth dump truck, being driven by Timothy M. Sides, age 49, Versailles, Indiana. The dump truck was owned by the Ripley County Highway Department. The vehicles collided nearly head on in the southbound lanes of US 421.

As a result of the collision, Kappes sustained fatal injuries in the crash. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Ripley County Coroner’s Office. Sides was not injured in the crash.

US 421 was closed for approximately five hours for crash investigation and cleanup.

The investigation is ongoing. Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be factors although toxicology tests on both drivers are pending at this time.

Norman Kappes’ family has been notified.

Trp. Elmore was assisted by the Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team, Ripley County Sheriff’s Department, Ripley County EMS, Napoleon Fire Department, Ripley County Coroner’s Office, TDS Towing, and AJ’s Auto Body.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.