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Additional crashes investigated in Saturday’s icy weather
With icy weather causing dozens of incidents around the county on Saturday, Jan. 8, more crashes occurred than were initially reported upon in the Banner Graphic website or in the Tuesday, Jan. 11 print edition.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office investigated several more crashes as well as releasing more information on some previously reported. These crashes including the following:
• At 2:25 p.m. Darlene F. Oldham, 58, Port St. Lucie, Fla., was westbound on U.S. 40 just west of the Hendricks County line in a 2012 GMC Terrain. Kaden J. Cordeiro, 22, Clayton, was also westbound in a 2002 Honda Civic.
After speaking with both drivers and witnesses, Deputy Kyle Lee determined that Oldham was braking for a funeral procession she was approaching. As she was doing so, Cordeiro collided with the rear end of her vehicle.
Cordeiro said the only thing he could recall was the collision. A passenger of Cordeiro’s was transported ot Putnam County Hospital due to injuries from the collision. Both Cordeiro and Oldham refused medical treatment.
While Lee noted the ice storm in his report, he was also approached by a witness from the funeral procession, who estimated Cordeiro’s speed prior to the collision as at least 80 mph.
Both vehicles were towed. Lee estimated damage at $10,000-$25,000.
• At 3:36 p.m. Trisha R. Shrader, 56, Reelsville, was eastbound on U.S. 40 near the Big Walnut Creek bridge in a 2006 Ford F-250.
In the icy conditions, the truck left the south side of the road, traveled down an embankment and overturned on the passenger side.
Shrader and two passengers were momentarily trapped in the vehicle before being extricated by Reelsville firefighters. Both Trisha Shrader and front-seat passenger Bradley Shrader were transported to Putnam County Hospital, Trisha with a broken arm and Bradley with neck pain. The third occupant declined treatment.
The crash was investigated by Maj. Dwight Simmons, with assistance from Deputy Lee and Deputy Josh Clark. Besides the Reelsville Fire Department, other departments on the scene included the Roachdale Fire Department, Van Buren Fire Department and Putnam County EMS.
The truck was towed. Simmons estimated damage at $2,500-$5,000.
• At 4:08 p.m. Joshua R. Salsman, 42, Greencastle, was soutbhound on State Road 243 in a 2014 GMC Acadia. Luke J. Lovejoy, 19, Cloverdale, was following Salsman in a 2014 Chevrolet Impala.
As both drivers approached an ice-covered bridge, they both applied their brakes, but Lovejoy began to slide, with his vehicle sliding into the back of Salsman’s bumper.
Lovejoy then lost control, crossed the centerline and made heavy contact with the guardrail on the northbound side, causing airbag deployment.
Lovejoy declined medical assessment and reported no injuries. His vehicle was towed.
Reserve Commander Ken Rozelle estimated damage at $10,000-$25,000.
• At 4:08 p.m. William D. Laybourne, 52, Greencastle, was westbound on State Road 240 in a 2000 Chevrolet S-10.
Laybourne told Deputy Josh Deal he met an eastbound semi tractor that was partially in his lane. When he attempted to avoid the collision, Laybourne hit a patch of ice and lost control.
The pickup then slid off the north side of the road, spinning around and coming to rest facing east.
Laybourne was not injured, but the truck sustained front end damage and was towed.
Deal estimated damage at $2,500-$5,000.
• At 6:01 p.m. Matthew F. Buis, 51, Greencastle, was westbound on County Road 350 North near U.S. 231 when he lost control of his 2005 GMC Canyon on a patch of ice.
The vehicle left the road, spun and hit a utility pole on the driver’s side. The impact spun the truck partially back onto the roadway.
Both Buis and a passenger, Jason West of Logansport, sustained injuries and were transported to Putnam County Hospital by ambulance.
The vehicle was towed, and Parke County REMC arrived to replace the damaged pole.
Deputy Deal estimated damage at $5,000-$10,000.
More crashes will be added to this list as they arrive from PCSO.