...reportedly driving drunk

By Erin Smith, Journal and Courier

A Rossville teenager was driving drunk when he caused a fatal crash Sunday morning that killed a Frankfort teenager and injured three others, according to the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department.

Bryan D. Wilson II, 16, of Rossville had a blood-alcohol content of 0.12 percent, Sgt. Dan McGrew said. The legal limit for driving in Indiana is
0.08 percent. The legal age for possessing or consuming alcohol is 21.

Tanya L. Pickrell, 15, of Frankfort died when the 1999 Camaro that Wilson was driving eastbound on Indiana 38 went off the right side of the road two miles east of Dayton, rolled several times and landed upside down.

Pickrell was not wearing a seat belt and was partially ejected from the car, Sheriff Smokey Anderson said.

Three other Clinton County teenagers were injured in the crash, which occurred just before 6 a.m. Anderson said the teens had been at a party at Briarwood Apartments in Lafayette, where alcohol was available.

"He had been drinking," Anderson said of Wilson, citing inexperience, excessive speed and alcohol as contributing factors in the crash. "He was probably traveling at a very high speed."

Wilson had a probationary driver's license, Anderson said. "He was not allowed to transport passengers in the car."

Pickrell was pronounced dead at the scene. Wilson's other passengers were taken to Home Hospital.

Katie Walker, 13, of Frankfort later was airlifted to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis with a severe head injury, Anderson said. Her condition was not known Monday evening.

Justin Johnson, 16, of Rossville was treated for a head injury. Carla Ayes, 14, of Frankfort, had a hand injury that may require reconstructive surgery, the sheriff said.

Wilson, who was able to walk about 300 yards to a nearby residence to call for help, was treated at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Anderson said. When questioned about the names of his passengers, Wilson gave police five names.

Police found the supposed fifth passenger, a minor whose name has not been released, at his sister's residence in Briarwood Apartments. Anderson said police found "a lot of alcohol containers, including a keg" in view in the apartment.

Jennifer E. Campbell, 20, of the 1600 block of Briarwood Court, and Stephen D. Walker, 24, of the 2200 block of U.S. 52 West, were inside the apartment.

Late Sunday morning, Campbell and Walker were arrested on suspicion of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Both posted a $250 cash bond and were released.

Campbell's younger brother and another unidentified teenager, also inside the apartment, were arrested and released to their parents. "They still had alcohol in their system," Anderson said.

Wilson likely will face multiple charges, the sheriff said.

At school Monday

Tanya Pickrell, the daughter of Doug and Brenda Pickrell, was a freshman at Frankfort High School. She had three brothers.

Students, faculty and staff mourned the outgoing cheerleader Monday.

"She was one of those girls who always had a smile on her face -- very friendly and popular," said athletic director Michael Pries, who knew Pickrell through her brother, Lance, a senior football and basketball player. Lance shared news of his sister's death at the beginning of student announcements.

"It's just a tragedy and always very tough to lose a kid," Pries said. "She had a lot to look forward to."

The high school had grief counselors and youth ministers on hand all day and set up a photo of Pickrell and card outside the cafeteria.

Carla Ayes also is a freshman cheerleader; Katie Walker is an eighth-grader at Frankfort Middle School.

"I think lunchtime was especially difficult for the students," Pries said.
"Seeing her picture was upsetting for those who knew her and her brother."

Tanya's memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday in the school's auditorium.