Pickup collides with trooper's car at Putnam County intersection

Sunday, May 6, 2018

PUTNAMVILLE -- An Indiana State Police trooper was uninjured Saturday night when his squad car was struck by a turning pickup truck at U.S. 40 and U.S. 231 in Putnam County, State Police at Putnamville reported.

Front-end damage is visible on an Indiana State Police trooper's car after it was struck Saturday night by a 2002 Chevrolet pickup truck at the intersection of U.S. 40 and U.S. 231. Neither ISP Trooper Ian Portteus nor the pickup driver, Craig Hodge, 44, Indianapolis, was injured in the accident. State Police photo

At approximately 9:17 p.m. Saturday, ISP Trooper Ian Portteus was on routine patrol and had stopped in the left-turn lane of U.S. 231, northbound at U.S. 40, five miles south of Greencastle.

Suddenly, an eastbound 2002 Chevrolet pickup pulling a dump trailer, driven by 44-year-old Craig Hodge of Indianapolis, attempted to turn right off of U.S. 231 and proceed south on U.S. 231. But in doing so, Hodge reportedly traveled left of center, striking the ISP 2017 Dodge Charger nearly head-on.

Hodge reported a possible brake issue that may have led to the crash.

Neither driver nor a passenger in the Hodge vehicle were transported for injuries. However, some may seek their own medical evaluation for minor complaints of pain, police said.

Trooper Portteus's K-9 partner "Czar" was also uninjured in the accident.

Hodge was cited for driving with a suspended license and driving left of center.

The accident was investigated by ISP Trooper Kyle Hall. Assisting were ISP Trooper James Crisp and personnel from the Putnam County Sheriff's Department, Cloverdale Police Department, Putnam County Operation Life, Reelsville Fire/Rescue and Curtis Wrecker Service.

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