Joshua Trammell, 43, of Brookville, was involved in a head-on collision on July 7, 2021, that resulted in the death of Brookville resident Jenni Fasbinder who was 46. Fasbinder was pronounced deceased on the scene. The probable cause affidavit completed by Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Lovins, who responded to the crash scene, said he found two hypodermic needles among the debris of the Silverado. Trammell was transferred to the hospital by deputies to get a blood sample for a toxicology analysis. The results of the toxicology report determined the presence of both amphetamine and methamphetamine in Trammell's sample. Immediately after receiving the results, Lovins presented them to Franklin County Circuit Court Judge J. Steven Cox, who found probable cause had been established throughout the investigation of the accident. Franklin County Prosecutor Chris Huerkamp then filed initial felony charges against Trammell, including Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance Causing Death, a Level 4 Felony; Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Death, a Level 4 Felony; Reckless Homicide, a Level 5 Felony; Illegal Possession of a Syringe, a Level 6 Felony; and Habitual Offender, sentence enhancement.State-appointed counsel Paul Barada who represented Trammell, entered an initial plea of "not guilty" on behalf of his client and jury trial hearing was scheduled. The trial was postponed four times, with the final jury trial set for Feb. 6. However, on Jan. 30, Trammell changed his plea to guilty on Count 1 - Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance Causing Death and Count 5 Habitual Offender Sentence Enhancement. After the court was advised of a factual basis during the plea hearing, the court found a factual basis, accepted the plea, and found the defendant guilty of Counts 1 and 5. Trammell was remanded to the Franklin County Security Center following the plea hearing. The matter is set for sentencing on March 1 at 9 a.m. The sentencing for a level 4 felony ranges from two to 12 years. Trammell will also receive the habitual offender sentencing enhancement under I.C. 35-50-2-8(d) which states the court shall sentence a person found to be a habitual offender to an additional fixed term that is between one to six years and 20 years for a person convicted of murder or a Level 1 through Level 4 felony. If Trammell receives the max sentence for both charges, he will face 32 years in prison.
