Teens injured, adults arrested after car crash

Two Putnam County teenagers were seriously injured and a third person was arrested following a car accident in Hendricks County early Friday morning.

Charles D. "Cody" Newlin, 16, was listed in critical condition at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis as of presstime Friday. According to a police report, he suffered a head injury in the 1 a.m. crash that occurred on Hendricks County Road 200 North, also Putnam County Road 900 North.

His brother, 14-year-old Kyle A. Newlin, was said to have suffered a broken pelvis and was transported to Hendricks Regional Health in Danville. A hospital spokesperson said he was released from the hospital Friday morning.

The driver of the vehicle, Robert L. Carter, 20, of Roachdale, received minor cuts and scrapes. He was subsequently arrested and charged with consumption by a minor.

According to a police report, Carter was given a portable breath test after the accident and showed a breath alcohol content of .019. Results of a blood alcohol test are pending.

Carter told sheriff's deputies at the scene that he had consumed one beer at his house just minutes before the crash.

In their report, sheriff's deputies say that Carter told them he was traveling eastbound on 200 North at approximately 85 mph. As he approached Ind. 75 he slowed to approximately 60 mph but failed to stop at the intersection.

Carter told deputies he then swerved, causing his car to go out of control and roll a couple of times before sliding backwards into a tree.

The Newlin boys, not wearing their seatbelts, were ejected from the car at some point during the roll, according to the accident report.

A single beer can was found near the car and had a small amount of fresh beer in it, deputies report.

Carter was teated and given a blood test at Hendricks Regional before being booked into the Hendricks County Jail where he remained as of presstime. The sheriff's department said more criminal charges could be filed at a later date.

By 8 a.m. Friday, word of the accident had spread to North Putnam Middle School where the youngest Newlin boy attends.

Principal Mike Wilcox said he was just learning about the accident but hoped to be in contact with the family to get more information. He said he knows both of the Newlins and was sorry to hear the news.

"They're both good boys. I know them well," Wilcox said. "Right now they and their families are in our prayers."

Cody Newlin used to attend North Putnam High School, but Wilcox said he thought he had transferred to another school.