Single-vehicle crash results in one fatality

CLOVERDALE -- Alcohol and speed may have been the cause of a single-vehicle accident Saturday near Cloverdale, which resulted in one fatality.

At approximately 4 p.m., units from the Putnam County Sheriff's Department were dispatched to a possible fatal accident on SR 42 just west of CR 750E. Upon arriving, the vehicle was observed in the trees on the south side of 42.

The driver of the vehicle, 28-year-old Jeremie A. Hilbert of Cloverdale, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two passengers, Jana A. Smith of Poland and Tamra M. Neiner of Cloverdale, were transported by air ambulance to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Smith was listed in critical condition and Neiner was listed in stable condition.

Results of the preliminary investigation indicated both speed and alcohol were contributing factors to the crash, stated Deputy Jonathan Chadd. The crash still remains under investigation.

Assisting agencies included Cloverdale Township Fire Department, Operation Life, Air Evac, PHI (Dove Flight), Cloverdale Police Department, Curtis Towing and Putnam County Coroner's Office.