Teen driver flown to Indianapolis after three-vehicle crash on 231
CLOVERDALE --- A three-vehicle accident on U.S. 231, south of Interstate 70, at mid-day Tuesday resulted in one driver being airlifted to Methodist Hospital.
At 11:56 a.m., Indiana State Police troopers and Putnam County emergency agencies were dispatched to the scene. The crash resulted in injuries to one driver.
Preliminary investigation indicated that a 1993 Ford Ranger pickup, driven by James A. R. Wells, 18, Poland, was southbound on U.S. 231 and attempted to make a left turn onto County Road 900 South. In doing so, Wells drove into the path of a northbound 1995 GMC Jimmy driven by William G. Gray, 53, Spencer.
After colliding, the Ford Ranger came to rest on the driver's side with the rear of the truck striking a 1997 Winnebago motor home driven by Jerry W. Mann, 67, Greencastle. The Mann vehicle was stopped for a red light on CR 900 South, westbound at U.S. 231.
Both the GMC Jimmy and Ford Ranger were considered a total loss. The Winnebago sustained minor damage, police said.
Wells was initially transported to Putnam County Hospital with head and neck injuries and was later airlifted via to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for advanced treatment.
A 21-year-old male passenger in the Wells' vehicle reported no injuries. Gray, who reported minor pain, sought his own medical treatment. Mann was uninjured.
Wells was cited for failure to yield the right of way and failure to use passenger restraint, State Police reported.
The accident was investigated by Master Trooper Hans Nowak. He was assisted by ISP Sgt. Joe Watts and Master Trooper Gary Winters, along with representatives of the Putnam County Sheriff's Department, Putnam County Operation Life, Cloverdale Police Department and Cloverdale Fire/Rescue.