Putnam Scanner for Nov. 23, 2012

Friday, November 23, 2012

City Police

A 24-year-old Avon man was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated after reportedly leaving the scene of a recent property-damage accident on Greencastle's East Side.

Shane N. Leroy was lodged in the Putnam County Jail at 3 a.m. Nov. 17 after being arrested by Greencastle City Police Officer Ed Wilson.

Leroy's vehicle reportedly struck mailboxes in front of 1159 Avenue C. He then reportedly left the scene.

He was lodged in the jail after testing .144 percent blood-alcohol.

Leroy was also charged with leaving the scene of an accident and was cited for an infraction of driving with a suspended license.

City officers also investigated three other recent accidents.

-- At 3:31 p.m. Nov. 19, a two-vehicle mishap was reported at Indianapolis Road and East Franklin Street.

Sgt. Terry Eastham reported that Russell Stidd, 19, Greencastle, was driving a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe when he slowed for an approaching vehicle and was struck by a 1994 Chevrolet Caprice, driven by Brian West, 57, Greencastle.

West told officers something fell off the seat of his car, distracting him. He did not realize Stidd was forced to stop in traffic after both vehicles had started forward from the stoplight on East Franklin.

Total damage in the accident was estimated at $1,000-$2,500.

-- At 11:11 p.m. Nov. 17, a two-car accident was reported on Fillmore Road.

Ruth Arthur, 50, Greencastle, was southbound in traffic approaching State Road 240, and when she stopped her 1995 Chevrolet Beretta, it was struck from behind by a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, driven by Jessica Stewart, 19, Bainbridge.

Stewart told Capt. Chris Jones that her brakes failed as she tried to stop in the shift-change traffic from IAC.

Total damage was listed at $1,000-$2,500.

-- At 10:17 p.m. Nov. 17, a two-vehicle accident resulted in an estimated $5,000-$10,000 damage, Officer Wilson reported.

Trent Argue, 47, Cloverdale, was eastbound on Washington Street, driving a 1997 Chevrolet Suburban.

He was approaching Indiana Street on a green light when a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, driven by Patricia Price, 63, Greencastle, reportedly turned south into the path of Argue's vehicle, Officer Wilson said.

Sheriff's Department

* A T-bone crash on U.S. 40 Monday afternoon destroyed a fifth-wheel camper trailer and pick-up truck, but left the two drivers without serious injury.

At 12:50 p.m. Alan J. Eubank, 26, North Salem, was westbound on U.S. 40 in a 2003 Ford F250 pulling the camper. Eubank said he was pulling into the left lane from the right lane in order to make the wide right turn into a driveway.

Eubank told deputy Don Lewis he turned on his right turn signal before making the maneuver into the driveway.

Jon E. Joseph, 50, Lizton, was approaching the fifth wheel from behind in a 2004 Ford F350. He said the fifth wheel moved from the right lane to the left lane without using its turn signal.

Joseph then moved to the left to the right lane in order to pass the fifth wheel.

As Joseph attempted to pass, Eubank began to make the turn, making the collision unavoidable.

Skid marks indicate Joseph applied the brakes 140 feet before impact. From the point of impact to the final resting place of the trailer was another 105 feet.

A witness who was also westbound said he was doing about 60 mph and that Joseph was pulling away from him quickly. The man was several hundred feet away from the vehicles, so he could not indicate whether or not Eubank's turn signals were applied.

Joseph was treated immediately for minor bleeding to his lower arm. Eubank took himself to the hospital after the crash with neck pain.

Lewis was assisted in the investigation by deputies Danny Wallace and Adam Hull.

* At 3:47 p.m. Monday Charles G. Colvin, 16, Russellville, was eastbound on County Road 800 North from County Road 250 East in a 2009 Ford F150 when a deer entered his path.

He swerved to miss the animal and lost control of the truck, entering a ditch and coming to rest on several trees.

Deputy Ronnie Campbell estimated damages between $10,001 and $25,000.

* On Tuesday at 10:23 a.m. Johnie W. Doyle, 55, Martinsville, was southbound on County Road 560 East approaching County Road 700 North in a 2012 Ford E250 van registered to EAN Holdings Inc.

Doyle did not stop in time and entered 700 South, hitting a flatbed trailer hauling a combine. Donal L. Megan, 59, Metamora, Ill. was driving the truck registered to J & D Farms.

The trailer and combine were damaged, with estimates coming in between $5,001 and $10,000.

* A 54-year-old Fillmore woman and her granddaughter suffered minor injuries on Tuesday evening when a deer crashed into the woman's car.

At 5:53 p.m. Iris K. Cradick was northbound on County Road 475 East in a 2003 Buick LeSabre when a large deer ran into the driver's side door and window.

The impact shattered the glass, sending glass into Cradick's face and eyes. Deputy Kyle Gibbons said Cradick was bleeding above her left eye upon his arrival.

Cradick's granddaughter suffered superficial wounds to her face as a result of the impact of the deer.

Both women were taken to Putnam County Hospital for evaluation.

Damage was estimated at $2,501-$5,000.

* On Thursday, Nov. 15 at 5:12 p.m. Douglas F. Pontillo, 44, Clover-dale, pulled out of a parking space, eastbound on Market Street in Cloverdale in 1996 Pontiac Grand Am.

He said he did not see Deborah D. Hofmann, 51, Poland, stopped at Lafayette Street in a 2009 Toyota RAV4.

Pontillo struck Hofmann's vehicle in the rear.

Capt. Danny Wallace estimated the damage at $2,501-$5,000.

County Jail

On Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 9:20 a.m. Brett Edward Milton, 43, Crawfordsville, was booked into the Putnam County Jail for contempt of court.

City Fire

The Greencastle Fire Department was dispatched several times recently.

* On Thursday, Nov. 15 at 5:11 a.m. crews were sent to 330 Greenwood Ave. for an active alarm. They returned to station at 5:43 a.m.

* On Friday, Nov. 16 at 12:15 p.m. they went to the corner of Jackson Street and Jackson Boulevard for an auto accident. The driver of a delivery truck left his vehicle without engaging the proper brakes and the truck rolled away. There was no damage and crews were in service at 12:18 p.m.

At 10:18 p.m. firefighters were called to an alarm at 402 Anderson St., but disregarded on arrival at 10:28 p.m.

* On Saturday, Nov. 17 at 6:29 p.m. crews were dispatched to Round Barn Road for a brushfire. They were in service at 6:48 p.m.

At 10:28 p.m. they went to the corner of Indiana and West Hill Streets to clean up fluid from an auto accident. They arrived back at the station at 10:59 p.m.

* On Sunday, Nov. 18 at 7:12 a.m. firefighters went to 6646 W. CR 710 South to assist Reelsville with a chimney fire. They returned to service at 8:45 a.m.

At 8:43 a.m. crews were dispatched to Greenwood Drive to assist Operation Life with entry into a home where someone was believed to be suffering from a threatening medical condition. They were in service at 9:19 a.m.

* On Monday, Nov. 19 at 3:20 p.m. they were sent to 800 N. Madison St., where a short in the water heater was causing vents to smoke. They were back at the station at 3:40 p.m.

At 4:44 p.m. firefighters went to Canterbury Apartments to assist Operation Life. They were in service at 4:56 p.m.

* On Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 11:38 a.m. crews were dispatched to 14 S. Locust St. for a grease fire on the stove. The fire was extinguished prior to arrival and they returned to service at 11:57 a.m.

At 1:24 p.m. crews went to 110 E. Larabee St. A man had gone up into a tree to retrieve his keys and became stuck. They got him down and were back at the station at 1:34 p.m.

At 4:25 p.m. they were dispatched to 517 E. Washington to assist Operation Life. They were in service at 4:47 p.m.

* On Wednesday, Nov. 21 at 6:52 a.m. firefighters went to 203 N. College to assist Operation Life with a person who had fallen. They were back at 7:19 a.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.