Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025 - Capsule reports

Drove off road

An Ohio semi driver complained of back pain after losing control of his vehicle and driving off Indiana 1 about 7 p.m. Monday.

Eric Rangira, 36, Columbus, was driving a 2023 Kenworth T680 north on the highway near county road 400 South when he drove across a patch of ice. Rangira lost control of the semi, causing it to leave the east side of the road and continue off-road until stopping across 400 South. He struck signs owned by Indiana Department of Transportation and Jay County Highway Department.

Rangira was evaluated by Jay Emergency Medical Service. 

The vehicle he was driving — it’s registered to Werner Enterprises of Omaha, Nebraska — was towed, with damage estimated between $10,000 and $25,000.

Backing accident

Damage is estimated between $2,500 and $5,000 after a Union City man backed into an Illinois man’s vehicle at Motel 6 in Portland.

James M. Stewart, 43, was backing up his 2020 Chevrolet Sonic at 1147 U.S. 27 when he struck the passenger’s side of a 2008 Ford F-150 driven by 23-year-old Eli I. Conley of Watseka.

Hit mailbox

A Geneva woman crashed her car into a mailbox along U.S. 27 in Jay County about 8:30 a.m. Monday.

Virginia L. Joyner, 88, was driving her 2010 Chrysler 300 south on the highway near county road 300 North when she lost control of her vehicle because of slick road conditions. 

Her vehicle went off the east side of the highway and struck a mailbox, then swerved across the road and left the west side of the highway.

Damage is estimated between $1,000 and $2,500.