Scanner August 8

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Sheriff's Department

A Missouri woman was hospitalized in Indianapolis following an early morning Tuesday accident on Interstate 70.

At 1:21 a.m. Putnam County Sheriff's deputies Matt Biggs, T.J. Smith and Phillip Troyer were dispatched to a one-vehicle accident in the eastbound lanes near the 39-mile marker. The accident reported involved injuries, including an entrapped driver.

Once on the scene, Deputy Biggs found a 1999 Ford Escort that had struck a guardrail on the south side of the road.

The guardrail was lodged in the driver's door so that the driver, 21-year-old Emily I. Thomas of St. Ann, Mo., could not exit the vehicle.

Once the Cloverdale Township Volunteer Fire Department arrived on the scene, extrication took approximately 30 minutes.

A LifeLine helicopter had already been summoned, and Thomas was airlifted to Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, with serious injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.

Her most serious complaints of pain were to her back and face.

In observing the scene, Biggs found that Thomas's vehicle had been in the passing lane before crossing into the median and spinning in a clockwise direction back across the eastbound lanes and into the guardrail.

Due to the driver's condition at the scene -- she was able to speak to authorities but was disoriented -- deputies did not know if she had fallen asleep or if she had overcorrected.

County Jail

Two people were booked into the Putnam County Jail on Tuesday.

* At 8:45 a.m. Ronald Dale Roach, 44, Crawfordsville, was arrested for identity deception, forgery of documents and probation violation.

* At 9:10 p.m. Tyler Gene Howard, 19, Cloverdale, was charged with driving under the influence of drugs, driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance.

City Police

An unusual one-vehicle accident involving an unlicensed driver was investigated Tuesday evening by Greencastle City Police officers.

At 8:35 p.m., Samuel McDonald, 16, Greencastle, was attempting to move a parked 2004 Chrysler van, owned by Malcolm Berry, Fillmore, from a position in the yard at 806 Cameron Drive to the driveway.

As the teenager attempted to reposition the van, he accidentally struck a utility pole owned by Duke Energy in the process, police said.

Officer Kyle Lee estimated total damage to the vehicle and pole at $5,000-$10,000.

Three recent traffic citations were issued by City Police officers.

-- At 6 p.m. Monday, Thomas J. Franklin, 20, Greencastle, was ticketed on Judson Drive by Reserve Officer David Clodfelter for having a false or fictitious registration.

-- At 12:19 p.m. Monday, Mary Waidlich, 64, Greencastle, was cited on Washington Street by Chief Tom Sutherlin for driving with a suspended license with a prior offense.

-- At 7:53 a.m. Friday, Willard Kendall, 62, Greencastle, was ticketed on Washington Street by Officer Jeff Modlin for an infraction of driving with a suspended license.

City Fire

The Greencastle Fire Department has responded to a number of recent dispatches.

* At 4:32 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1, firefighters responded to an alarm at Tzouanakis Intermediate School, 500 Lynnwood Drive. The activation was ruled accidental, and crews returned to station at 4:46 p.m.

* At 12:14 a.m. on Friday, GFD investigated an alarm at 413 S. Locust St., but was disregarded en route.

At 10:48 a.m. firefighters assisted Operation Life at 404 W. Jacob St. They returned to station at 10:59 a.m.

At 9:45 p.m. crews were called to an open burn complaint at 21 Beveridge St., returning to station at 9:53 p.m.

* At 6:30 p.m. Saturday, GFD performed a medical assist at 181 Frazier St., returning to station at 6:50 p.m.

* At 3:39 a.m. on Monday, firefighters responded on mutual aid call with Madison Township to 7195 S. CR 475 East, providing manpower. They cleared the scene at 4:33 a.m.

At 12:17 p.m., GFD was called to 102 W. Poplar St. but was disregarded en route at 12:18 p.m.

At 3:34 p.m. crews were called to 8 Cedar Dr. A stove had shorted out. The power was removed and crews returned to station at 3:56 p.m.

At 3:49 p.m. GFD performed an odor investigation at 17 S. Indiana St. Investigation revealed a smoldering cigarette ash can. Personnel cleared the scene at 3:59 p.m.

* At 3:44 p.m. Tuesday, firefighters performed a medical assist at 8 E. Walnut St., returning to station at 4:07 p.m.

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.