Putnam Scanner for Aug. 11, 2010

Putnam County Sheriff's Department

* Aug. 5, 1:43 p.m.: Thomas Hiss, 61, Spencer, was southbound on US 231 in a 200 Chevrolet truck when he took off his neck brace, dropping it on the floor. He said he reached for the brace and when he looked up, he ran off the road and struck a guardrail.

Estimated damage $2,501-$5,000.

* Aug. 5, 4:56 p.m.: Karen M. Wilson, 58, Clinton, was westbound on U.S. 36 in a 1999 Dodge when she fell asleep at the wheel. Her vehicle swerved into the oncoming lane, hitting the 2000 Buick of Paul G. Miller, 49, Stilesville. Wilson's vehicle when into the ditch, rolling once. Miller's vehicle came to rest in the eastbound lane.

The 2004 GMC driven by Joseph R. Murphy, 23, Fort Thompson, S.D., was struck by a piece of debris, breaking the windshield.

Wilson was trapped in the vehicle and suffered minor facial bleeding.

The vehicles of Miller and Wilson were towed by Kenny's. Estimated damage $5,001-$10,000.

* Aug. 5, 8:15 p.m.: Timothy Ross, 19, Reelsville, was westbound on I-70 in a 1994 Mitsubishi pickup when he started having engine trouble near the 44-mile mrker. His vehicle slowed to around 30 mph and began to veer into the right emergency lane. A 2007 Columbia Freighliner semi driven by Mark Lucas, 49, Riverdale, Utah, attempted to avoid colliding with Ross by also veering into the emergency lane. The result was a rear end collision.

Both vehicles were towed by Curtis Wrecker. Estimated damage $10,001-$25,000.

* Aug. 6, 1:12 p.m.: Matthew L. Blackmore, 39, Roachdale, was eastbound on CR 1100N near US 231. As Blackmore started down a grade in his 2007 Chevrolet, he observed two small deer run across the road and into the woods on the south side. As he approached the area, a large deer ran into the road, and he was unable to avoid hitting the animal with the left front of the vehicle.

Estimated damage $2,501-$5,000.

* Aug. 6, 2:40 p.m.: Sean A. Tornes, 24, Noblesville, was traveling east CR 75S just east of CR 775W, in a 2000 Freightliner ice truck. Tornes said he lost power to his truck while traveling up a grade. The truck rolled backwards down the grade and off the north side of the roadway and into a ravine in a wooded area. Tornes attempted to brake, but could not stop the truck.

Truck was towed by Curtis Towing. Estimated damage $10,001-$25,000.

* Aug. 6, 9:03 p.m.: Erin Burckbye, 28, Terre Haute, was westbound on US 40 East near U.S. 231 in her 2010 Chevrolet when a deer ran into her path of travel. After striking the deer, she went off the road and into a ditch.

She complained of minor pain, but signed a release at the scene.

Vehicles was towed by Steel's. Estimated damage $2,501-$5,000.

* Aug. 8, 1:35 p.m.: Kory J. Drake, 19, Brownsburg, was westbound on SR 240 in a 2005 Ford pickup and apparently dozed off. The truck traveled left of center, with its driver's side mirror striking the mirror of the 2006 Hummer driven by Starr S. McCormack, 49, Coatesville. The impact broke McCormack's mirror and pushed Drake's mirror back into the window, shattering it.

Drake suffered minor lacerations due to the broken glass.

Estimated damage $1,001-$2,500.

* Aug. 8, 8:34 p.m.: Kelsey L. Murtagh, 19, Greencastle, was westbound on SR 236 in a 2000 Chevrolet when a deer jumped into her path of travel.

Estimated damage $1,001-$2,500.

Information included in the Putnam Scanner is taken from reports provided to the Banner Graphic by the Putnam County Sheriff's Department, Greencastle Police Department and Greencastle Fire Department.

Individuals listed in the blotter have been arrested on probable cause and have not been formally charged. Charging information may change after an initial arrest.

Questions about listed charging information should be directed to the arresting agency.