Two youths survive 1-car accident

Friday, April 24, 2009

By SHANNEN HAYES, Staff Writer

Ashley M. Wombles, 16, was traveling south on Manhattan Road Thursday when she lost control of her 2001 Pontiac Grand Am. The vehicle struck a culvert, went airborne and rolled twice before coming to rest on its tires. The driver and her younger sister escaped without serious injuries.

Sixteen-year-old Ashley M. Wombles was traveling south on Manhattan Road shortly before 6 p.m. Thursday when she lost control of her 2001 Pontiac Grand Am.

It is speculated the vehicle struck a culvert, went airborne and rolled twice before coming to rest on its tires.

Investigating officer Lt. Don Pettit with the Putnam County Sheriff's Department said speed might have been an issue.

Ashley or her passenger, Kelcy Wombles, 14, was not seriously injured in the crash. Operation Life took both girls to Putnam County Hospital for evaluation.

Responding to the scene was the sheriff's department, Greencastle Fire Department and Operation Life. Also responding was a volunteer fireman from Reelsville, who was in the area.

Seniours Wrecker Service towed the vehicle from the scene.

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Great!!!! Were they wearing their seatbelts? No mention of that in the article

-- Posted by maryruth51 on Fri, Apr 24, 2009, at 4:42 AM
They were not seriously hurt in an acident where the car rolled twice. What do you think???

-- Posted by Geologist on Fri, Apr 24, 2009, at 5:16 AM
that is why children should not be able to get their license till they are 18 years of age

-- Posted by Abby54 on Fri, Apr 24, 2009, at 7:05 AM
I thought the law was already in place that you can't drive without an adult until you've had your license for a year? They're not old enough to not have an adult with them are they? And also, it's not just young drivers that are a concern. Older drivers and short women in big trucks are also a severe road hazard, so don't just pick on the young drivers!

-- Posted by putcogirl on Fri, Apr 24, 2009, at 7:20 AM
To putcogirl: I think it's a 90-day waiting period, not a year, before driving without an adult. So it depends on when she turned 16 and/or got her license as to whether she was driving legally or not, and I would think it would be the responsibility of the investigating officer(s) to follow-up on that if there was an issue.

-- Posted by howsthishappen on Fri, Apr 24, 2009, at 8:34 AM
This was an accident & that is why they are called accidents & both driver & passenger had their seat belts on doing as they were taught - as far as children being 18 before they get their license, do you really think it's a good ideal to turn a bunch of 18 year old "adults" out on the world with no life experience along with no driving experience? These young drivers are learning just as they learn to walk - maybe they just need some more supervision. As far as short women in big trucks being a severe road hazard - I hope you don't walk out in front of me.....

-- Posted by freebird on Fri, Apr 24, 2009, at 9:14 AM
Older drivers ?

Short women in big trucks?

How old is old - how short is too short - how big is big (bigger than a S-10, full-size truck, H-1, Semi ?

I don't understand - esssplain please.

-- Posted by Scripted Spontaneity on Fri, Apr 24, 2009, at 9:18 AM
You people act like 16-18 year olds aren't supposed to get into wrecks. There are alot of drivers alot older than this young girl who started when they were 16 and they made it just fine, just like the rest of us did. Wrecks happen, it's part of it learnig to drive.

-- Posted by ZRXguy on Fri, Apr 24, 2009, at 9:26 AM
As for most of your comments, I am the children's mother and they were both wearing the seatbelts. These accidents happen all the time on Manhatten road!! She has been 16 since May of last year her waiting period is far from over!! I'm sure when you started driving Abby54 and Putcogirl you were not expert drivers either!! so unless you know the whole story or lived through your children being in accident you should just shut your mouths and keep your comments to yourself!!

-- Posted by sfitzpatrick on Fri, Apr 24, 2009, at 9:33 AM
To everyone making this bad situation with a good ending into an even worse situations are, sorry to be so blunt, idiots. I am 21 one years old and I have had an accident, not with another vehicle, and it was by case of reckless driving. I admit it I was stupid and I drove stupid. Just because a child who isn't as experienced as a driver who is in their 30's doesn't make them bad drivers. Yes alot of people speed, and we have a higher chance of getting into an accident when we do so but age isn't the reason we get into accidents and that goes for older people to or "short women" in big trucks. People should realize that these two girls could have been seriously injured or worse and to see that their own mother had to write a comment, because of what was being said about her daughters is ridiculous. People should just forget the age part of the accident and worry about the safety of the two victims. Get a life Abby54 or Putcogirl.

-- Posted by WhySoSerious on Fri, Apr 24, 2009, at 11:09 AM
To be 100% honest, if I did not know better reading these posts.. I would assume most (not all) of the posters are 6th through 8th grade middle schoolers. Thats the age level I see children act this rude, obnoxious and intentionally try to hurt each other with comments and immature remarks and as you can see I will call no one out by usernames.

But its not just on this newspaper...CNN, USA Today, Indystar...as soon as the poster realizes no one knows who they are....the total disregard for manners and respect for our peers begins.

sfitzpatrick - I am very happy to see your children were wearing seatbelts and even more happy to see they are ok...I cant imagine what you went through when you got the call...I bet they both were extremely upset.

I sure would not want to see 18 as a drivers age. I know my father was very happy when I got my liscense and could drive myself to school and practices...its almost an economic benefit for parents when their kids can drive and done the right way teaches them responsibility that they will use the rest of their lives. With that said I have read the new laws that may go into effect here in Indiana and think they are very good. They dont go to far to hurt families with more burdens as their children reach the age that they are out more and more with activities and social events but it does add more training, restrictions and levels to a full liscense.

Accidents happen and some will be tragic. We like to think we can protect our children from everything in life but we cant. We just have to do the best we can and fix the issues we see that need corrected.

-- Posted by G-boy2008 on Fri, Apr 24, 2009, at 12:25 PM
So thankful these young girls were not hurt!

-- Posted by John3:16 on Fri, Apr 24, 2009, at 1:16 PM
I'm very glad to see the girls were not injured and are ok. Why can't everyone else be thankful also? Things happen to everyone and we all live and learn. I happen to know these girls and their family.

-- Posted by what_it's_worth on Fri, Apr 24, 2009, at 8:35 PM
graydog, its people like you that should be thinned!! with an attitude like yours the world would be better place without you. My girls are lucky to be alive and this accident could have happened to anyone!!... even you...

-- Posted by sfitzpatrick on Fri, Apr 24, 2009, at 8:54 PM
The girls in this accident are like my own daughters. I love and care for them soooooo much and they are great friends with my daughters. It sickens me to have some ignorant people writing comments to the extent of no compassion. Stop and think about how the parents felt when they recieved the call that their daughters were in an accident. No one can imagine the fear and anxiety that they have gone through. Can't we just be thankful that these girls are alive and doing well? What difference does the age or experience of the driver make when an accident happens? It's always a tragic event no matter what the age. Show some respect for this family, they have enough to worry about. I love you Ashley and Kelsey. I prayed & thanked God for watching out for you. Your second mom....

-- Posted by llclark4 on Fri, Apr 24, 2009, at 10:37 PM