Putnam Scanner for April 16, 2010

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Putnam County Jail

Racheal E. Whitinger, 23, Cloverdale, was booked into the Putnam County Jail at 8:02 p.m. Wednesday for possession of cocaine.

Putnam County Sheriff's Department

A Whitestown man was arrested following a single-vehicle crash due to drinking and driving early Wednesday morning.

Donald K. Bassett II was traveling east on US 36 near Bainbridge at 5:45 a.m., when he apparently lost control of his vehicle.

Autumn King, who was traveling behind Bassett's vehicle, stated Bassett turned onto 36 and traveled approximately 25 mph due to a flat tire, but accelerated to 60 mph before losing control of his vehicle.

Tire marks indicated Bassett's vehicle began sliding before it crossed into the westbound lanes, exited the roadway and struck a utility pole. The vehicle continued northeast before coming to rest on its top.

"During the course of the vehicle rolling, Bassett was ejected from the vehicle," the accident report stated. He suffered a large laceration to the top of his head and contusions to his arms, elbows and legs.

Operation Life transported him to Putnam County Hospital, where he was also tested for blood alcohol level due to the smell of "intoxicating beverages on his person," the report said. An emergency room physician advised Deputy Adam Hull Bassett's BAC was .332 percent.

Hull spoke to Bassett, who said he had been drinking at the Roadhouse near Raccoon Lake and was not driving the vehicle at the time of the crash. He said another male driver was taking him home. However, no other person was observed at the scene, the report stated.

Following treatment at PCH, Bassett was arrested and booked into the Putnam County Jail for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

In addition to Operation Life, Floyd Township and Bainbridge fire departments and Hendricks Power assisted at the scene. Kenny's Wrecker service towed Bassett's vehicle. There was an estimated $10,001 to $25,000 in damages.

Preston S. Trent of Chesterfield was traveling west on US 40 at 6:55 a.m. April 9, when he fell asleep at the wheel and crossed into the median. When he awoke, he overcorrected, causing his vehicle to travel back across the eastbound lanes before striking an earth embankment.

Trent was uninjured in the crash. Steele's Wrecker Service towed his vehicle. There was an estimated $2,501 to $5,000 in damages.

Mitchell W. Moy of Quincy was traveling south on CR 775E near Belle Union at 11:43 a.m. Monday, when he swerved to miss a northbound vehicle over the centerline, causing him to strike a mailbox.

There was an estimated $1,001 to $2,500 in damages.

Greencastle Fire Department

Crews were dispatched to 303 S. Locust St. at 9:15 p.m. Wednesday for an alarm due to hairspray. They were back in service at 9:35 p.m.

Crews were dispatched to 9 W. Franklin St. at 7:35 a.m. Thursday for a vehicle leaking gas. They cleaned up the scene and moved the vehicle. Crews were back in service at 8:11 a.m.

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

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.