Putnam Scanner for June 17, 2009

Sheriff's Department

Wesley Ellis III, Holly, Mich., was traveling on Interstate 70E at 10:40 a.m. Friday, when he exited the interstate to find a hotel because he had been driving for eight hours.

Ellis stated his head was hurting and must have passed out at the time of the accident. His vehicle struck the right rear tires of a semi tractor-trailer driven by Howard Cooper of Terre Haute, which was stopped on the exit ramp at US 231.

After the crash, Cooper checked on Ellis and found him lying in the front seat of his vehicle. The accident report stated Ellis was not on any medication.

Steele's Wrecker Service towed Ellis' vehicle from the scene. The semi was not towed. There was an estimated $10,001 to $25,000 in damages.

Jason Patterson, Greencastle, was traveling on CR 375E, when he lost control of his vehicle on a curve and it left the roadway, slid down an embankment and into some trees.

The accident was reported first by Patterson's wife at 5:10 a.m. Sunday. She told dispatch the crash occurred on US 231 near Water Works Hill and her husband was uninjured but trapped in the vehicle.

According to the accident report, officers were unable to find any crashes in that area. Several officers from Greencastle Police Department, Indiana State Police and Putnam County Sheriff's Department searched areas throughout Putnam County before a motorist reported finding Patterson's vehicle at 9:42 a.m. and it was unoccupied.

Patterson later showed up at the scene and told officers what happened. He was asked if he had consumed any alcoholic beverages before or after the accident. He denied having had any. However, officers tested him with a portable breath test and he registered a blood alcohol level of .092 percent.

Since the accident occurred five hours prior to the test, Patterson could not be charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Once the vehicle was towed from the bottom of the embankment, Patterson was not allowed to drive it home. Jerry's Wrecker Service towed the vehicle from the scene.

There was an estimated $2,501 to $5,000 in damages.

Braxtyn Sinclair, Quincy, was traveling on CR 800S at 6:54 p.m. Friday, when a deer entered the roadway. Sinclair stated he swerved to avoid hitting the animal, but lost control of the vehicle, causing it to leave the road and hit a utility pole.

Curtis Wrecker Service towed the vehicle from the scene. There was an estimated $5,001 to $10,000 in damages.

Putnam County Jail

Several people were arrested and booked into the Putnam County Jail during the weekend on alcohol related charges.

On Saturday, David Duncan, 51, Indianapolis, was booked at 1:01 a.m. for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Kimberly Powell, 25, Roachdale, was booked at 3:13 a.m. Saturday for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Matthew Kuchler, 38, Greencastle, was booked at 12:25 a.m. Sunday for public intoxication and battery.

Kyle Thomas, 19, Greencastle, was booked at 1:23 a.m. Sunday for possession of marijuana.

Timothy Swift, 53, London, England, was booked at 1:58 a.m. Sunday for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

David Mitchell, 31, Pittsburgh, Pa., was booked at 5:59 a.m. Sunday for public intoxication, disorderly conduct and resisting law enforcement.