13-05-2025
Frankfort man charged in hit-and-run death of Elwood teen
ELWOOD — A Frankfort man has been charged in the Saturday night hit-and-run that killed an Elwood teen.
Michael A. Carnes, 77, faces a charge of leaving the scene of a fatal accident, a Level 4 felony.
Darken Jeske, 16, was pronounced dead at St. Vincent Mercy Hospital in Elwood. Jeske was running at the time of the incident — just before midnight — at Ninth and Main streets, according to a Madison County Sheriff's Department media release.
A 2017 Ram 1500 pickup driven Carnes struck Jeske but did not stop at the scene of the crash, police said. The Frankfort man was followed by a witness and later apprehended by police in Windfall, the sheriff's office reported.
"Mr. Carnes spoke with investigators this morning and has been cooperative since the time of the crash," a Tuesday press release from the sheriff's department related.
"It has been determined Mr. Carnes was aware he struck something on the night of the crash prior to leaving the scene."
Jeske was a freshman at Tipton High School, where he was a member of the wrestling team. A post on the Elwood schools Facebook page noted that Jeske had attended Elwood schools.
Jeremiah Nunemacher, head wrestling coach at Tipton High School, said he was heartbroken by the news of Jeske's death.
'He was always eager to learn,' Nunemacher said. 'He was always helpful, wanting to be in, always wanting to help out the other kids.
