Man charged in crash

A Spencer man is facing one felony charge and three misdemeanors following an accident outside of Gosport on Nov. 23 leaving a young Owen County couple critically injured.

Oscar Adrian Barrera Rubio, 31, faces one felony count of causing serious bodily injury while operating a vehicle and three misdemeanor charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, possession of marijuana and knowingly or intentionally operating a motor vehicle without ever receiving a license.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed by Master Trooper William Brown of the Indiana State Police Bloomington District, "Rubio spoke broken English and with the help of a male bystander and a translator app I was able to administer a PBT (Preliminary Breath Test) to Rubio. The results of the PBT were 0.085 percent. With the use of a translator app, Rubio was read the Indiana Implied Consent for serious bodily injuries. Rubio did consent to a chemical test of his blood. Due to Rubio's injuries, I could not complete FSFT (Standardized Field Sobriety Tests). Rubio was asked for his driver's license and he stated that he did not have one but only has his passport for identification."

After receiving treatment for his injuries, Rubio was transported to the Owen County jail.

The accident injured Brooke and Austin Sheese who were on their way to pick up their children. A GoFundMe was created to assist their family with medical expenses and the loss of income during their recovery. As of press time, the GoFundMe had raised $51,113 of the $55,000 goal.

Updates to their recovery have also been posted on the GoFundMe page.

An initial hearing for Rubio was held on Nov. 24. A jury trial is currently scheduled for May 19, 2026.

Prosecutor Ben Kim has issued a reminder that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.