Putnam Scanner for Oct. 6, 2012

County Jail

Two people were booked into the Putnam County Jail on Thursday, Oct. 4.

* At 5:10 p.m. Mark Alan Whitis, 56, Coatesville, was arrested for public intoxication.

* At 8:45 p.m. Alex Matthew Gaston, 21, Greencastle, was charged with possession of paraphernalia and probation violation.

Sheriff's Department

On Friday, Oct. 5 at 2:20 a.m. Vasile Timoficiuc, 38, Romulus, Mich., was eastbound on Interstate 70 in a 2002 Freightliner semi tractor pulling a trailer.

Timoficiuc said while he was on the phone with his wife he leaned over to the passenger side to retrieve a water bottle. The vehicle then traveled onto the shoulder, right of the fog line.

He was unable to correct his course of travel before hitting a bridge embankment at County Road 775 West.

Deputy Kyle Gibbons arrived at the scene at 2:29 a.m. and found Timoficiuc standing in the median with no serious injuries.

Also assisting at the scene were Operation Life, Cloverdale Fire Department, INDOT, Curtis Towing and deputies Craig Sibbitt, Dwight Simmons and Mike Downing.

Damage was estimated at $50,001-$100,000.

Information included in the Putnam Scanner is taken from reports provided to the Banner Graphic by the Greencastle Police, the Greencastle Fire and the Putnam County Sheriff's departments.

Questions about listed charging information should be directed to the arresting agency.