Man Charged with Homicide of Clark County Highway Worker Appears in Court

Monday, August 15th, 2022 -- 12:00 PM

The man that struck and killed a Clark County Highway worker appeared in Clark County Court.

On August 8th of last year, at about 1:18 AM, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call of an accident on CTH G by Mann Road in the Township of Hendren. The initial investigation indicates that at about 12:00 AM, two Clark County Highway Workers were sent to a tree that was across CTH G by Mann Road.

They arrived there at about 1 AM and started to remove the tree. At about 1:18 AM, one of the workers, David Murphy, called 911 and said that a vehicle struck him. When deputies arrived on scene, they discovered that a vehicle was traveling south on CTH G and struck the workers and tree. Murphy was transported to the hospital where he was being treated for his injuries.

Russell Opelt died at the scene of the crash.

The operator of the vehicle, Cory Neumueller, is charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, homicide by use of a vehicle with a PAC, hit and run involving death, 2nd-degree reckless homicide, injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle, injury by use of a vehicle with a PAC, hit and run involving great bodily harm, and 2nd-degree reckless injury. During his motion hearing, his bond was modified with new conditions.

Another motion hearing is scheduled for November 30th where his lawyer will argue for a change of venue. He’s scheduled for an eight day jury trial in April.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.