Saturday afternoon crash lands one in hospital

A one-vehicle accident Saturday afternoon landed the driver in the hospital as multiple witnesses observed him driving at an excessive speed on County Road 725 East.

A one-vehicle accident occurred Saturday afternoon at 2:21 p.m. on County Road 725 East near County Road 600 North.

Putnam County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Tom Helmer was first on the scene as witnesses advised that Jamen R. Shelley, 43, Coatesville, was northbound on County Road 725 East stopped at the intersection of County Road 600 North before accelerating at a high rate of speed.

Witnesses at the scene advised Helmer that Shelley's 2008 Pontiac Solstice GXP drifted off the travel portion of the roadway onto the gravel shoulder. Shelley then returned to the road before failing to negotiate a curve, which resulted in him leaving the road and striking a tree with the right side of his vehicle.

Several other witnesses advised Helmer of seeing Shelley traveling at a high rate of speed, an estimated 70-80 miles-per-hour, when the right tires drove off the roadway and onto the gravel shoulder, returning to the travel portion of the road before failing to negotiate a curve and traveling off the road and impacting a tree on the vehicle's right side.

Shelley's vehicle came to rest on its right side, on the roadway. Witnesses advised the vehicle was smoking and they unbuckled the seatbelt and removed Shelley from the vehicle as a precaution.

Shelley was transported to Hendricks Regional Hospital via Operation Life for treatment of injuries.

Numerous alcoholic beverage containers were said to be found at or near the scene of the crash.

Lt. Virgil Lanning responded to Hendricks Regional Hospital where Shelley was advised of his Implied Consent Warning and blood was taken for an alcohol/drug test, which are currently pending.

Shelley was also cited for excessive speed.

Also assisting at the scene was Bainbridge and Floyd Township fire personnel.

Damage was estimated at $5,001-$10,000.