Putnam County—This afternoon around 3:09, Putnam County Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting a possible vehicle crash with unknown injuries in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 near the 34 mile marker.
Indiana State Police Trooper Mike Wood was in the area and responded. Upon arrival, Trooper Wood noticed a blue 2003 Chevrolet Silverado with Oklahoma registration partially on the emergency shoulder and partially in a grassy ditch area with the vehicle’s front end against the guardrail. During his initial approach to the vehicle, Wood noticed the driver was slumped over the steering wheel, appeared somewhat incoherent and acting suspiciously. Moments later, the driver began striking his own head on the truck’s passenger side window numerous times, then opened the passenger side door and threw himself onto the ground. In doing so, the driver struck his head on the cement ditch near the guardrail. The driver then stood up, bleeding from his self inflicted injuries, removed all of his clothes, and appeared to advance on Trooper Wood. Wood radioed for assistance and deployed his Taser electronic device which ultimately stopped the advancing suspect. Trooper Mike Finney quickly arrived and the two troopers were able to subdue the male and take him into custody. The suspect was transported to Putnam County Hospital for treatment of his injuries and later transferred to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for additional treatment and observation. His injuries do not appear to be life-threatening. Toxicology results are pending. Further investigation revealed the suspect’s pickup was not involved in a crash at the scene.
Criminal charges are pending against the suspect driver, a 33-year-old man from Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Pending toxicology results, additional charges may be filed.
After his hospital treatment and subsequent preliminary charges are filed, the suspect’s name will be released. This is pursuant to ISP regulations regarding releasing names of suspects prior to their actual arrest.
The investigation is ongoing.
Assisting were multiple troopers from the Putnamville Post, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Cloverdale Police Department, and Putnam County Operation Life.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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