Trooper William Trees was killed in a two-vehicle accident during a pursuit on State Road 64 about three-quarters mile east of Francisco.

   As he was assisting the Francisco town marshal with speeding vehicles, he began chasing a violator when his patrol car struck an oncoming semitrailer head-on. The fleeing vehicle was never found.

   Trooper Trees, from Oakland City, was assigned to the Evansville post. He was survived by his wife, son born six months after his death and 18-month-old daughter.