Turkey scourge comes to town?

The flock of suicidal turkeys recently engaged in an undeclared war on Indiana cars has made its way to Putnam County.

Joining at least four known incidents on Indiana roads in recent weeks, a turkey flew into the side an SUV driven by a Spencer man Tuesday evening.

Putnam County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Kyle Gibbons reports that 37-year-old Waylon Collins was northbound on U.S. 231 in the area of South Putnam High School at around 7:30 p.m.

As Collins approached U.S. 40, the bird flew from the west side of the road and into the side of his 2001 Dodge Ram.

The pickup suffered moderate damage to driver’s side mirror, window and door, as well as the front quarter panel. Gibbons estimated total damage at $2,501-$5,000.

The turkey died as a result of the collision.

Compared to other recent car-turkey incidents in the state, Collins appears fortunate. The birds in the other reported incidents have flown into the windshields of the vehicles, two of which were driven by Indiana State Police troopers.

The incidents don’t seem to be isolated geographically. Two have occurred in LaPorte County in northern Indiana and another in Scott County in southern Indiana.

The last two have been here in west central Indiana, as a turkey flew into the front windshield of an SUV in Danville last Friday. In that incident, the bird flew through the windshield and passenger compartment, with its body ending up in the hatch of the vehicle.

By comparison, Collins was able to drive the truck from the scene of the Putnam County accident.