Passenger injured as Jeep rolls while doing 'doughnuts'

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

BAINBRIDGE -- A 60-year-old southern Indiana man was injured Sunday in a rollover accident in northern Putnam County.

Indiana State Police and Putnam County emergency agencies responded to the 9 p.m. accident at 8312 N. U.S. 231, just north of U.S. 36.

The initial dispatch from Putnam County 911 reported the crash had occurred in a farm field and a passenger was pinned beneath the vehicle.

ISP Trooper Mike Wood reported that a 1980 Jeep driven by Michael S. Pemberton, 38, Greenwood, overturned while the driver was doing a series of "doughnuts" in a farm field behind the address in question.

The Jeep rolled over onto the passenger side, briefly pinning the passenger, Robert R. Delp Jr., Jeffersonville, beneath the roll bar apparatus, Trooper Wood reported.

Authorities said neither Pemberton nor his uncle, Delp, was wearing a seatbelt.

Delp was airlifted from the scene to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for treatment of lower extremity injuries and was preliminarily listed in critical condition.

Pemberton suffered only minor injuries and reportedly tested over the legal limit (.08 percent) for alcohol intoxication, police said.

Pemberton was incarcerated in the Putnam County Jail on a charge of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated resulting in serious bodily injury, a Class D felony.

Assisting State Police in the investigation were the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, Putnam County Operation Life ambulance and the Bainbridge Fire Department.

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  • Dumb Hillbillies.

    -- Posted by ProblemTransmission on Wed, Sep 7, 2011, at 2:45 AM
  • Alcohol...imagine that.

    -- Posted by OldWhiteRepublican on Wed, Sep 7, 2011, at 5:30 AM
  • based on the location of the incident and the charges levied, one wonders if a farmer could be charged with the same thing after consuming a beer or three prior to resuming plowing.

    -- Posted by exhoosier2 on Wed, Sep 7, 2011, at 7:32 AM
  • Although I agree with the above comments, I'm amazed that you can be charged with a felony while on private property without at least a criminal complaint being filed against you. Will someone please explain how the police have the authority to charge these individuals on PRIVATE property. If this is allowed, can the police enter my "farm" property and ticket me for having unregistered vehicles (truck)?

    -- Posted by gunner on Wed, Sep 7, 2011, at 8:10 AM
  • Reading the story, it appears they called dispatch for help. That's why the police were on private property! DUH!

    -- Posted by howsthishappen on Wed, Sep 7, 2011, at 8:33 AM
  • howthishappen...read what gunner said. He didn't say why they were there. He asked how they could charge them with a crime without a complaint from the land owners. They were on private property and was wondering how you can get a dui on private property. DUHHHHH

    -- Posted by ou812 on Wed, Sep 7, 2011, at 9:04 AM
  • Can someone get an DUI while mowing thier lawn?

    -- Posted by mad-mom on Wed, Sep 7, 2011, at 9:49 AM
  • DUI laws can be enforced on private and (or) public property.

    A motor vehicle in Indiana is defined as a device used for transportation by land or air.

    So yes, you could get a DUI while mowing your lawn.

    -- Posted by ProblemTransmission on Wed, Sep 7, 2011, at 11:45 AM
  • I was there with others too....

    2 beers while fishing and headed up to the farmhouse to cook some fish. (no donuts involved) the wheel broke off when it hit a fox hole. The seat belts were broke, just bought the jeep that afternoon. So sad that one can not kick back & relax with a beer & fish in Indiana. Just an accident in an older jeep that had been setting for a few years. They had an angel watching over them.......

    -- Posted by pronka on Fri, Dec 2, 2011, at 2:11 PM
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