Putnam Scanner for Jan 20, 2012

Friday, January 20, 2012

Sheriff's Department

Local and state officials had to respond for the cleanup process when a Monday morning collision at a local business caused a non-toxic chemical to spill onto nearby soil.

John Whitkanack Jr., 78, Cloverdale, was backing up a 1992 Dodge pickup and attached trailer toward a service entrance behind Sparks Tire on North Jackson Street, Greencastle, at approximately 11:45 a.m. Monday.

As Whitkanack was backing, his foot slipped off the brake and hit the accelerator. The left rear of the trailer then hit a 2,000-gallon plastic tank containing Rim Guard, a compound used in the tire industry.

The tank ruptured, spilling approximately 1,000 gallons of the compound onto the parking lot and down a grass embankment behind the facility.

Whitkanick was uninjured.

Sheriff's Department Lt. Col. Tom Helmer and the Greencastle Fire Department responded to the scene, with Helmer investigating the accident and GFD beginning the cleanup process.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management was dispatched to scene.

Goode Excavating and Baker's Disposal also took part in the cleanup process.

Damages are estimated between $2,501 and $5,000.

* On Friday, Jan. 13 at 2:11 a.m. Jamie J. Brown, 34, Camby, was eastbound on State Road 42 in a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country when she lost control going down a grade.

The vehicle slid sideways and came to a stop in the ditch. The vehicle had damage to the driver's side front bumper. Damage $1,001-$2,500.

* On Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 1:49 a.m. Jessica L. O'Conner, 18, Fillmore, was on West Walnut Street near the DePauw Nature Park entrance in a 2000 Honda Accord when she swerved to miss an animal.

She lost control of the car due to ice on the road, spun 180 degrees and left the south side of the road. The car rolled onto its top, striking several trees before coming to rest at the bottom of a ditch.

Operation Life treated O'Conner for minor bleeding to her head.

Damage $5,001-$10,000.

City Police

A 37-year-old Greencastle man was arrested Wednesday night as a habitual traffic offender, City Police report.

Lonnie Ray Boyce was stopped by GPD Officer Darrel Bunten in the First National Bank lot along Indianapolis Road at 8:55 p.m. Wednesday for failure to dim his headlights.

Boyce was issued a warning for that offense, police said, but was lodged in the Putnam County Jail on the habitual offender charge.

In other City Police activity, a two-car accident was reported Wednesday afternoon at Indianapolis Road and Franklin Street.

Officer Bunten reported that Terri Phillips 50, Greencastle, was stopped westbound at the stoplight in front of Kroger when her 1989 Chevrolet Beretta was struck from behind by a 2005 Toyota Corolla, driven by Corey Brackney, 30, Greencastle.

Brackney said when she began to brake, her westbound car skidded initially and then her brakes failed, resulting in the collision.

Total damage in the 3:24 p.m. accident was estimated at $1,000-$2,500.

County Jail

Several people were booked into the Putnam County Jail recently.

* On Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 9:30 p.m. Lonnie Ray Boyce was housed at the jail as a habitual traffic violator.

* On Thursday, Jan. 19 at 3:40 p.m. Michael Albert Pelz, 48, Cloverdale, was arrested for failure to appear.

At 5:30 p.m. Chelsea Rose Gallagher was held at the jail for failure to appear.

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

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.