Teen driver flown to Indianapolis after three-vehicle crash on 231

Wednesday, June 1, 2011
An accident on U.S. 231, south of Interstate 70 at Cloverdale, just before noon Tuesday resulted in head and neck injuries to James Wells, 18, Poland, the driver of the blue 1993 Ford Ranger that ended up on its side after impact.

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.

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  • How many accidents have to happen at this intersection before the State puts turn lights in the signals? Someone will be killed eventually.

    -- Posted by Grandma10 on Wed, Jun 1, 2011, at 1:18 AM
  • Hmmm if you are doing the speed limit there probably would not be a problem.

    -- Posted by Oh My Goodness on Wed, Jun 1, 2011, at 1:38 AM
  • just last week i was sitting at that light when it turned green and a little car beside me was turning toward mc donalds and preceded into the other lane as soon as the light turned green. i thought man he is hit as he slammed on his breaks. there are many wrecks there and i dont know why other than drivers not paying attention.

    -- Posted by badboy46120 on Wed, Jun 1, 2011, at 9:00 AM
  • I take it since ISP investigated that the intersection isn't within the jurisdiction of the Cloverdale Police? And why does it take at least 5 police officers to be at the scene? I can understand the ISP supervisor assiting the trooper, but really....5 officers? Seems like overkill to me.

    -- Posted by purple_heat on Wed, Jun 1, 2011, at 7:16 PM
  • It isn't "overkill" when you consider how inconsiderate some drivers are. Getting to wherever they are going is the only thing they care about, and if there weren't a lot of police officers there to direct traffic, some of the fools would drive right through an accident scene rather than be delayed a few minutes. No, not overkill at all. Try it from our side once and you will see what I mean. Had a lady drive her minivan over a fire hose connected to a hydrant on one fire scene after she drove around the fire truck with all its lights on.

    -- Posted by Geologist on Wed, Jun 1, 2011, at 7:51 PM
  • My daughter was hit at this same intersection, she was going north, then turning left to Arby's when the other lady going south was in the turning lane for McDonalds, but then changed her mind and went straight. My daughters van was totally turned in the other direction by the impact. Yes a turn signal is way over due for that intersection.

    -- Posted by smommy on Wed, Jun 1, 2011, at 11:55 PM
  • I wish there were more police patroling that area. I agree with badboy, too many people speeding and disregarding stop lights.

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Thu, Jun 2, 2011, at 6:56 AM
  • 18 years old and inexperienced,enough said......

    -- Posted by kubotafan on Thu, Jun 2, 2011, at 7:11 AM
  • VolunterFF -- I do live in your shoes everyday. There's other things to reroute traffic and secure a scene. Part of it is vehicle positioning, traffic cones on some fire trucks, and first responders in high visibility traffic vests. We'll have to agree to disagree.

    -- Posted by purple_heat on Thu, Jun 2, 2011, at 12:12 PM
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