Putnam Scanner for 2-21

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Sheriff's Dept.

Several accidents were investigated recently by the Putnam County Sheriff's Department.

* At 9 p.m. Feb. 15, two cars collided on CR 600 North near CR 725 E.

According to Deputy Doug Nally's report, Brian Rogers, Danville, was driving a 2004 Chevrolet 2500 pick-up truck and was being followed closely by a 1999 Chevy Malibu, driven by Tina Kirkham, Greencastle.

Rogers said Kirkham was following too closely and had been shining her bright lights all the way from Danville on U.S. 36. After the two cars turned onto the county road from U.S. 36, Rogers says Kirkham passed him and then slammed on her brakes, stopping in the middle of the road. Rogers says he then drove around Kirkham and that she sped up in her vehicle and then stopped in the road again. Rogers once again attempted to pass Kirkham, but he says she sped up again and nearly ran if off the roadway. At that point, the two cars collided in the roadway.

Kirkham told police she had been passed by Rogers on U.S. 36 and was following him because she called 911 to report his driving. She said she passed Rogers on CR 600 and that he struck her car on the driver's side.

The officer said, in his report, that it appeared Kirkham was under the influence of drugs and could have avoided "the entire incident."

Damage was estimated at $5,000-10,000.

* At 7:13 p.m. Feb. 15, a car hit a deer on U.S. 40 at CR 250 East.

Reserve Deputy Mike Downing reported that Belinda Pierce, Greencastle, driving a 2003 Buick Park Avenue, was eastbound on U.S. 40 when a deer ran into the roadway and she was unable to avoid the collision.

Damage was estimated at $1,000-2,500.

* At 1:20 p.m. Feb. 16, a car hit a deer on Ind. 236 at CR 425 West.

Lt. Dan Wallace reported that Robert Glaze, driving a 2002 Chevrolet S-10 pick-up, was eastbound on 236 when a deer ran into the side of his vehicle.

Damage was estimated at $1,000-2,500.

Putnam County Jail

Two people were booked into the Putnam County Jail recently.

* Daniel O. George, 35, Clinton, was booked in at 11:48 p.m. Tuesday for public intoxication and driving while intoxicated. He was released at 5:18 a.m. Wednesday after posting bail.

* Eric D. Qurazzo, 35, Terre Haute, was booked in at 4:23 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant for driving while suspended. He was arrested by ISP Trooper Charlie Boller.

City police

Greencastle police investigated one recent accident and issued six traffic citations.

* At 5:12 p.m. Tuesday, two vehicles collided at Bloomington and Seminary streets.

Officer Darrel Bunten reported that Martha Tiepen, 58, Cloverdale, was stopped in a northbound 1998 Honda waiting to turn left onto Seminary Street when her car was rear-ended by a 2005 Honda driven by Kimberly Rudolph, 48, Greencastle.

Tiepen complained of head pain at the scene.

Damage was estimated at $2,500-$5,000.

Bunten was assisted at the scene by Sgt. Christopher Jones.

Meanwhile, Officer Bunten issued the following tickets on Monday:

* At 11:42 a.m., Cynthia bush-Eiteljorge, 57, Indianapolis, was cited for 64 mph in a 40-mph zone on Veterans Memorial Highway.

* At 4:27 p.m., Darrin Hinkel, 20, Lafayette, was cited for speeding 60 mph in a 40-mph zone on Veterans Highway.

* At 6:46 p.m., James Terry, 44, Greencastle, was ticketed for driving while suspended on South Jackson Street.

Sgt. Jones ticketed the following on Monday:

* Diana Buis, 71, Greencastle, was cited at 2 p.m. on East Washington Street for a seatbelt violation.

* William Day, 29, Cayuga, was ticketed on Shadowlawn Avenue at 2:15 p.m. for a seatbelt violation.

*¨Willie Strong, 47, Greencastle, was ticketed at 2:35 p.m. on Shadowlawn for a seatbelt violation.