Capsule Reports - Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024

Wrong lane

A Muncie man drove off the side of Indiana 1 to avoid hitting an oncoming Pennville teen’s vehicle, causing severe damage to his car about 7:50 a.m. Saturday.

Keegan M. Carpenter, 20, was driving his 2011 BMW 335I north on the highway when he began passing a vehicle in front of him. Carpenter noticed a southbound 2012 Ford Edge driven by 16-year-old Cody W. Dehoff while passing, causing Carpenter to drive off the road and into a ditch to avoid a collision. Carpenter’s vehicle crashed into a sign, and his car stopped in a bean field.

Carpenter’s vehicle sustained heavy damage and was towed. Damage is estimated between $10,000 and $25,000.

Couldn’t see

Damage is estimated between $5,000 and $10,000 after a Union City man drove in front of oncoming traffic at the intersection of Indiana 18 and county road 375, causing an accident about 7:09 p.m. Saturday.

Charmile Derinord, 37, was driving his 2016 Chevrolet Equinox south on the county road as he approached the highway. He told police he stopped and couldn’t see traffic on Indiana 18 because of corn stalks on the side of the road blocking his vision. He proceeded into the intersection, driving into the side of a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica driven by 28-year-old Randy L. Fortkamp.

Fortkamp’s vehicle was towed.

Passing accident

The vehicle a rural Bryant woman was driving struck the Portland man’s car in front of her while attempting to pass it on county road 300 North about 8:46 a.m. Tuesday.

Carol Dirksen, 58, was driving a 2024 Buick Enclave behind a 2008 Chevrolet HHR driven by 47-year-old Bill Smiley. Dirksen began passing Smiley, and she told police Smiley went left of center, causing her to crash into him.

Smiley’s vehicle left the road and hit a tree. Dirksen’s vehicle spun off the south side of the road.

The Chevrolet HHR is registered to Portland Motor Parts. Damage is estimated between $5,000 and $10,000.

Failed to yield

A Portland man failed to yield to oncoming traffic at the intersection of Race and Hayes streets in Portland, causing an accident about 4:25 p.m. Friday.

Jose Lopez, 21, Berne, was driving a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee west on Race Street. At the same time, Charles Tow, 50, was driving his 2018 Ram 1500 north on Hayes Street. Tow failed to yield to Lopez, and Lopez didn’t have time to stop before crashing into Tow.

Damage is estimated between $2,500 and $5,000.

Intersection crash

A Bryant woman failed to yield to a Portland woman’s car at the intersection of Middle and Walnut streets in Portland about 1:18 p.m. Sunday.

Crystal E. Laux, 75, was driving a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica and stopped at the intersection of Walnut and Middle streets. She proceeded east on Walnut Street and didn’t notice the northbound 2014 GMC Acadia driven by 38-year-old Kristen Gibson in her path. Laux crashed into Gibson’s vehicle.

Damage is estimated between $5,000 and $10,000. Gibson’s vehicle was towed.