Capsule Reports - Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023

Mirrors collided

A Bryant man was cited with two misdemeanors after his vehicle veered into another lane on Indiana 67 and struck a mirror on the vehicle an Ohio woman was driving about 6:45 a.m. Saturday. 

Justin M. Dawson, 42, was driving east on the highway just east of U.S. 27 when his 2007 Hummer H3 crossed the center line and went into the eastbound lane, according to a report from Jay County Sheriff’s Office. An oncoming 2017 Chevrolet Express, driven by 61-year-old Lisa A. Maples of Celina, veered off the south side of the road to avoid a head-on collision. The vehicles’ sideview mirrors struck each other.

According to the report, Dawson left after the accident and drove to his home, where he was later located by police. He was cited for driving with a suspended license and leaving the scene of an accident.

Damage is estimated between $1,000 and $2,500. The van Maples was driving is registered to Clarence Bollenbacher of Rockford, Ohio.

Runaway driver

Damage is estimated between $5,000 and $10,000 after an unknown truck driver caused a chain-reaction vehicle accident and left the scene along U.S. 27 about 4 a.m. Friday.

Todd H. Elick, 61, Fort Wayne, was driving his 2014 Buick LaCrosse north on U.S. 27 and approaching the intersection with Indiana 67. In front of him were 74-year-old Allen L. Billington of Geneva and 53-year-old Thomas D. Sprunger of Berne. Witness Randall Herman told Jay County Sheriff’s Office an unknown pickup truck driver crashed into the back of Elick’s vehicle, causing him to hit the back of Billington’s 2012 Chevrolet Express. Because of the force of the crash, Billington wasn’t able to stop his Express from striking Sprunger’s 2012 Chevrolet Traverse. The unknown driver fled the scene, according to the report.

Elick’s vehicle was towed.