Capsule Reports - Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Cyclist thrown

A Portland man was thrown from his bicycle after crashing into a vehicle at the intersection of Meridian and Race streets about 7:21 p.m. Sunday.

Derlin C. Gomez, 33, Portland, was driving a 2022 Honda CR-V south on Meridian Street. At the same time, Ethan Bumbalough, 23, was riding his bicycle behind Gomez and failed to stop at the intersection, causing him to hit the back of the car Gomez was driving.

Bumbalough was transported to IU Health Jay by Jay Emergency Medical Service for head pain. Damage was estimated at less than $1,000.

Failed to yield

Damage is estimated between $5,000 and $10,000 after a Portland man crashed into oncoming traffic at Votaw and Williamson streets in Portland about 6 p.m. Saturday.

Martin M. Rodriguez, 32, was driving his 2017 Chevrolet Malibu north and turning from Votaw Street into the Walmart parking lot, 950 W Votaw St. He failed to yield to the stop sign at the intersection, according to a Jay County Sheriff’s Office report. At the same time, Kenny L. Burks, 31, Redkey, was headed east on Votaw Street and turned his 2006 Buick Rendezvous into the parking lot. Their vehicles collided.

Rodriguez was cited for driving without insurance, and his vehicle was towed.

Left the scene

A Dunkirk resident was arrested Sunday after allegedly sideswiping a Daleville man’s car on Indiana 67 and leaving the scene about 10:26 p.m. Saturday.

Ryan A. Thornburg, 45, Daleville, was driving his 2013 GMC Terrain south on the highway near its intersection with county road 125 South. He told police a northbound vehicle crossed the center line and sideswiped his car. He told police he wasn’t able to get a vehicle description and didn’t see the vehicle’s brake lights come on to stop for the accident, according to a Jay County Sheriff’s Office report. 

Police were later called about a hit and run accident involving a 2014 Subaru Forester at Taco Bell, 1501 N. Meridian St., Portland. Police determined driver Chevy P. Swearingen, 19, was in the same accident as Thornburg.

Swearingen told police Thornburg crossed the center line and caused the accident. He said didn’t stop because he was scared and didn’t see Thornburg’s brake lights come on either.

He was administered a drug blood test with results pending.

Swearingen was preliminarily charged with a Class B misdemeanor for leaving the scene of an accident and two Class C misdemeanors for operating a vehicle while intoxicated and possession of paraphernalia. He was being held in Jay County Jail on a $1,500 bond.

Both vehicles sustained between $5,000 and $10,000 in estimated damage, including broken driver’s side mirrors.