Driver in Thursday crash found after fleeing scene
A crash that occurred on the city’s east side Thursday morning was initially a mystery. However, it later resulted in the arrest of a local woman after she fled the scene of the incident.
According to Sgt. Ed Wilson of the Greencastle Police Department, she was eastbound on Washington Street when the vehicle moved into the other lane. The driver then overcorrected and struck a utility pole before coming to rest at the entrance to Stadium Drive.
After the Banner Graphic arrived at the scene at approximately 8:45 a.m., a resident said the driver fled from the scene. The vehicle mainly sustained heavy damage on the driver’s side-rear, with the rear axle having been broken.
Residents provided descriptions of the driver, and a purse was found discarded near Greencastle High School. The individual was identified as Tabitha Blake, 37, of Greencastle.
About 50 minutes after the incident, Blake was located at the Wendy’s on Indianapolis Road by GFD officer Jared McDaniel. Wilson said her story did not add up, as she claimed that the vehicle was stolen. She was also found to be in possession of marijuana.
Blake was then taken into custody of the Putnam County Jail and charged with leaving the scene of a property-damage accident, false informing and possession of marijuana, all of which are misdemeanors.
Wilson also stated that there was a power outage which occurred in the vicinity.
The DePauw University Police Department and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department assisted with the investigation. The Greencastle Fire Department also cleaned up fuel and debris in the area of the crash.