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Reelsville man dies in rollover accident on U.S. 40
REELSVILLE -- A 52-year-old Putnam County man was fatally injured Thursday morning in a one-vehicle accident on U.S. 40, about a mile east of the Putnam-Clay county line.
Robert E. Baker Jr., of Reelsville, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
Indiana State Police and Putnam County emergency agencies were dispatched to the one-vehicle rollover accident in the westbound lanes of U.S. 40, just east of County Road 800 West at 9:35 a.m.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Baker's 2002 Chevrolet SUV was eastbound on U.S. 40 from CR 800 West, and for an unknown reason veered off the south side of the roadway.
The SUV then traveled back across the eastbound lanes and through the snow-covered median into the westbound lanes.
Finally, the Chevrolet then rolled over, ejecting the driver and coming to rest on top of the victim, the only occupant of the vehicle.
At approximately 9:31 a.m., the Clay County and Putnam County Sheriff's offices responded to reports of an erratic driver, possibly impaired, eastbound on U.S. 40 from the Clay-Putnam County line.
Troopers and deputies were attempting to intercept the vehicle, but the crash occurred before they were able to do so, Indiana State Police at Putnamville reported. The suspect vehicle appeared to match the description of the SUV in the rollover crash, authorities added.
No seatbelt was in use and alcohol may be a factor in the accident, authorities said as troopers found numerous alcoholic containers in the vehicle and near the wreckage. Chemical tests are pending.
The accident was investigated by ISP Troopers Mike Wood and David Cox Jr.
Assisting at the scene were ISP Master Trooper Polly Blackburn and Trooper Nicole Cheeks, Sgt. Joe Watts, Putnam County Sheriff Scott Stockton and deputies, Greencastle Fire Department, Reelsville Fire Department, Putnam County Operation Life and Putnam County Deputy Coroner Steve Walters.