Local man facing six charges after driving 130 mph in chase

Friday, November 30, 2012

A 26-year-old Putnam County man is facing six charges, including reckless driving for operating his car at speeds reaching a reported 130 mph as he drove toward Greencastle Monday night.

Cameron T. Stockton, 3429 E. CR 500 North, Greencastle, reportedly led local police on about a 10-mile chase down U.S. 231 from Shortcut Road (CR 500 North) into Greencastle and south on Manhattan Road out to Antioch Church.

Stockton made an initial appearance in Putnam Superior Court Wednesday afternoon with Judge Charles "Denny" Bridges entering not guilty pleas on his behalf to four alcohol-related charges relevant to operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, along with resisting law enforcement (a Class D felony) and reckless driving (a Class B misdemeanor).

Judge Bridges also suspended Stockton's driving privileges indefinitely as of Wednesday's court appearance.

If convicted on all charges, Stockton faces a maximum total sentence of 10 years in jail and $2,000 in fines for his alleged indiscretions stemming from an incident that began at 10:10 p.m. Monday.

While no one actually mentioned the alleged 130-mph speed in court on Wednesday, the reckless driving charge cites "an unreasonably high rate of speed, endangering the safety or property of others."

The incident unfolded Monday night as Putnam County Sheriff's Deputy Philip Troyer was on patrol, northbound U.S. 231, approaching Shortcut Road.

"I noticed my radar indicated a vehicle traveling southbound on U.S. 231 at speeds of 110, increasing to 130 mph," Deputy Troyer stated in his report.

Troyer turned his squad car around and flipped on his emergency lights in an attempt to catch up with the speeding black Hyundai Tiburon.

Continuing southbound at a high rate of speed, Stockton passed two southbound vehicles going down Waterworks Hill and then made matters worse by turning off his headlights, Troyer reported.

"The vehicle continued into Greencastle city limits with no headlights and traveling at an extreme high rate of speed," the police report continued.

As the pursuit passed the Banner Graphic building on the northwest corner of the square, Troyer observed the suspect throw a "small, box-like object" from the car. Whatever was allegedly tossed out, however, was apparently never found by authorities.

The chase continued south on Jackson Street until Stockton momentarily crashed near the VFW Post, careening into the guardrail.

As Troyer got out of his car to make an arrest, Stockton got the car back in gear and "peeled out," continuing southbound on Jackson Street and onto Manhattan Road.

After driving all over the roadway and nearly striking oncoming vehicles head-on, according to Troyer's report, Stockton slowed the car near Antioch Church, pulling over where Greencastle City Police Officer Ed Wilson could pin him in with his commission. The GPD vehicle was slightly damaged in the incident.

As Troyer and Wilson approached the car, ordering Stockton to show his hands, the suspect responded instead by lighting a cigarette.

After a brief struggle in removing him from the car, Stockton was restrained by the officers and submitted to field sobriety tests, which he failed.

Blood-alcohol testing at Putnam County Hospital later determined a .102 percent BAC for Stockton. He was then taken to Putnam County Jail, where Judge Bridges ordered him returned Wednesday afternoon on $10,000 cash bond.

Additionally, Stockton is facing a petition to revoke probation (with 60 days of reinstatement time possible) since he was on probation at the time of the incident.

Public defender Trudy Selvia was assigned Stockton's case. He is due back in court for an 11 a.m. pretrial conference on Feb. 6.

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  • My wife and I were witness to the portion of this story that took place on Jackson Street. Wow, looking out our window was like watching COPS on TV. Our police officers place themselves in harms way on a daily basis. Thank you for what you do!

    -- Posted by Opinion1 on Fri, Nov 30, 2012, at 1:36 PM