Family Angry After Man Arrested Again Following Fatal Crash
ZIONSVILLE, Ind. -- A man accused of driving drunk and crashing into a group of motorcyclists last month, killing three and hurting two others, is now facing additional charges.
Police said Rodney Newkirk, 24, was under the influence of drugs at the time of the October crash, and that while out on bond, was again driving under the influence, 6News' Jeremy Brilliant reported.
Robert Brooksby, Maria Shipley and Michael Bird were killed in the Oct. 1 crash. Brooksby's son, Joshua Brooksby, wears a dog tag engraved with a picture of his father as a constant reminder of a man he loved.
"It's all I got left. It's a way to keep him next to my heart all the time," Brooksby said.
The accident happened when a car Newkirk was driving crashed into a group of motorcycles on State Road 234 near Ladoga. Brooksby said he urged his siblings to ask prosecutors for leniency after watching Newkirk in court.
"In the courtroom, he (Newkirk) looked like he was remorseful. He was tearing up. I felt bad," Brooksby said. "Maybe we should show a little compassion for him. He's 24. He's got the rest of his life to live."
Any feeling of charity the Brooksby family had was wiped away in an instant when Newkirk was arrested again last weekend, charged with drunken driving and possession of drugs and paraphernalia. Brooksby said he thinks he misinterpreted Newkirk's demeanor at that court hearing.
"He was feeling remorseful because he was caught and being punished for it," Brooksby said. "He could have quite possibly killed someone again, or more than one person. I mean, how many lives have got to be destroyed by one person? What's it going to take for someone to learn?"
Newkirk's initial bond was set at $4,000. The day after the crash, he posted the required 10 percent -- $400 -- and was free.
Newkirk was lodged in the Montgomery County Jail after his latest arrest, where he was held without bond.
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