One driver seriously injured in Saturday U.S. 231 crash

Responders work to free Joseph Clodfelter of Hillsboro from the wreckage of a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee following a nearly head-on crash Saturday afternoon. The 33-year-old was taken to Methodist Hospital with multiple fractures in his lower extremeties.

Courtesy Putnam County Sheriff’s Department

A Hillsboro man was seriously injured Saturday afternoon in a crash on U.S. 231 just south of U.S. 36 near the former site of English Buffalo Farm.

A Greencastle man could face charges for his role in the crash that sent the other man to the hospital.

According to witnesses, shortly before 2:15 p.m. Benjamin Barnes, 28, Greencastle, was northbound on U.S. 231 at a high rate of speed in a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix.

The 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix that had been driven by Benjamin Barnes, 28, Greencastle, sits near the crash site Saturday afternoon after Barnes attempted a pass on a double yellow line.

Courtesy Putnam County Sheriff’s Department

Witnesses told Deputy Scott Ducker that Barnes was attempting to pass another vehicle on a double yellow line when he encountered a soutbhound SUV.

Joseph Clodfelter, 33, Hillsboro, was southbound in a 1996 Jeep Cherokee.

When Clofelter saw Barnes’ car approaching, he tried to swerve left to avoid impact, hitting a guardrail. The two vehicles then made contact with the left front of each vehicle.

Courtesy Putnam County Sheriff’s Department

Clodfelter had to be extricated from his SUV and was taken to Methodist Hospital by Operation Life.

He later posted to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page that he sustained a broken femur, broken kneecap and two pelvis fractures, with surgery on Sunday morning.

Barnes was taken to Putnam County Hospital and later released without serious injury.

Ducker expressed that, for as serious as the crash was, it could have been much worse.

“They were very lucky,” Ducker said. “That was a bad accident ­— could easily have been a fatal.”

While the investigation is ongoing, with several witnesses to interview lab reports to return, Ducker said he “can almost guarantee” the sheriff’s department will seek charges against Barnes of reckless driving causing serious bodily injury.

Ducker added that he has no reason to believe drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

The highway was shut down for at least two hours as emergency responders assisted the occupants and investigated the crash. Ducker was assisted at the scene by Deputy Brian Helmer and Sheriff Scott Stockton.

On-scene assistance was also provided by Bainbridge Fire Department, Greencastle Fire Department and Operation Life.

Sheriff Stockton expressed his appreciation for the passers-by who stopped and help with traffic until rescue personnel arrived, as well as those who stayed and gave witness statements to about the events surrounding the violent crash.

* EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier, online version of this story stated that one driver was airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital, when in fact, Clodfelter was taken to Methodist Hospital by ambulance.