Woman charged after causing multiple head-on collisions

Deputy Derek Line investigates a series of head-on crashes that sent multiple people to local hospitals and led to the arrest of a Bainbridge woman for DWI.

Courtesy Putnam County Sheriff’s Office

BAINBRIDGE — A 28-year-old Bainbridge woman was charged with driving while intoxicated Sunday evening after she crashed into multiple other vehicles east of Bainbridge.

Larinda McMahon was traveling on U.S. 36 in the area of the Big Walnut bridge when she crossed the centerline, striking multiple cars head on.

The impact was so violent it tore the engine completely from one of the vehicles.

Patients from three separate vehicles were transported to local hospitals with multiple injuries.

McMahon tested at more than three times the legal limit for intoxication.

She was initially with a Class A misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated. However, this could be elevated to a felony depending on the severity of the injuries to victims.

Due to her injuries, McMahon was not taken to the Putnam County Jail, but issued a summons.

No status on any of the victims was available as of Monday evening.

Deputy Derek Line’s investigation into the accident is ongoing.

“Each year over 10,000 people in this country are killed as a result of drunk driving,” the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on Facebook. “That’s 28 people every day or one person every 52 minutes. 10,000 families grieve the loss of a loved one every year. It is one of the biggest killers in our country and yet it’s one of the most preventable. There’s no excuse for drinking and driving, it’s dangerous and it kills.”