Trooper Applies Tourniquet at Crash Scene; Stops Man from Bleeding
Indianapolis, IN- Trooper David Ploog had already worked four hours of overtime on Friday night, arrested one person for drug possession and was at the Indianapolis Post submitting the evidence when the call was dispatched at 12:42 a.m. Saturday morning. Serious personal injury crash on I-465 NB at the 37 mm. (approximately four miles west of SR 431) Ploog was on his way.
“When I arrived I saw several cars were involved and a crowd of people across the guard rail” said Ploog. “I went to the crowd and found a man bleeding heavily from a lower leg wound and I knew immediately that it would have to be stopped or he could bleed to death rather quickly”.
Ploog went to his police car and returned with his personal CAT tourniquet from his tactical vest. The Combat Application Tourniquet (C-A-T) is a true one-handed tourniquet proven effective by the U.S. Army’s Institute of Surgical Research. Trooper Ploog received training on self application and application on other persons as a member of the Indiana National Guard and through the State Police.
Ploog said he applied the tourniquet high on the injured leg near the groin and kept tightening and tightening until the bleeding stopped. He then applied and dressing across the wound for protection. Emergency medical personal then arrived on the scene and took over care for the male. McKinney was transported to St. Vincent Hospital.
With the emergency taken care of, the investigation into the crash was now the next priority. Preliminary investigation revealed that the injured victim Latin McKinney, 25, of Indianapolis and his sister had returned to I-465 NB at the 37 mm to retrieve his vehicle which needed a jump start. The vehicles were on the emergency shoulder facing each other with McKinney standing between the cars. Trooper Ploog said McKinney’s sister observed a car heading for the disabled car and yelled for McKinney to move. McKinney attempted to jump out of the way but was struck in the lower leg.
The car driven by Robert Butler, 44, of Fishers, struck the disabled vehicle and drove it into the vehicle providing the jump start. Three other vehicles would be involved in the crash but no other injuries were sustained.
Evidence obtained at the scene provided probable cause that Butler had consumed alcoholic beverages prior to the crash. A certified chemical test revealed that Butler had a BAC of .18%.
Butler was incarcerated in the Marion County Arrestee Processing Center and faces the following charges:
1. Operating While Intoxicated causing Serious Bodily Damage, Class 6 Felony
2. Operating While Intoxicated causing endangerment, Class A Misdemeanor.
3. Operating While Intoxicated with a BAC of .15% or higher, Class A Misdemeanor
A Class 6 Felony carries a penalty upon conviction of a fixed term between six (6) months and two (2) years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.00.
A misdemeanor is a less serious crime and one that is punishable by no more than one year of incarceration.
Trooper Ploog joined the Indiana State Police in March, 2012 and works at the Indianapolis District.
Investigating Officer; Trooper David Ploog, Indiana State Police
Assisting Agency; Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
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