First responders, such as firefighters, police officers, and EMTs, and medical professionals, are vital members of our community. They selflessly go to work each day and provide essential services that keep our communities a safer place. It's hard, exhausting work, and they sacrifice their time and lives in our time of need to keep the rest of us safe and healthy. There is a lot of information they have and want to share with the public, and that is what this community blog will be about: They are providing essential information to the public. Agencies involved include: Air Evac Lifeteam 39 Brazil Bowling Green Volunteer Fire Department Brazil Police Department Center Point Volunteer Fire Department Clay County Sheriff's Office Dick Johnson Volunteer Fire Department Van Buren Volunteer Fire Department Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita Indiana State Police - Putnamville District (If your agency would like to be involved, please call The Brazil Times at 812-446-2216.)

ISP - Impaired Semi Driver Causes Traffic Backup on Interstate 70

Posted Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 8:39 PM

Beth Clark Photo - Traffic backed up in Brazil today.

Impaired Semi Driver Causes Traffic Backup on Interstate 70

Putnam County - May 11, 2023, at approximately 11:25 a.m., troopers from the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post and other first responders were dispatched near the thirty-two-mile marker westbound on Interstate 70, due to an accident involving two commercial motor vehicles.

The preliminary investigation by Master Trooper Bill Bradbury revealed that Benjamin Polk, age 32, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was driving a 2021 Freightliner westbound on Interstate 70 near the thirty-two-mile marker in the passing lane. Polk was attempting to pass a 2015 Freightliner semi tractor-trailer that was driven by a Jean Cadet, age 37, of State College, Pennsylvania, when he ran into the rear of Cadet’s semi, sideswiping it. Polk overcorrected causing his semi to tip over onto the driver's side. Cadet immediately applied his brakes. Polk’s overturned semi continued sliding westbound, eventually coming to rest in front of Cadet’s stopped semi. After coming to a stop, Polk immediately climbed out of the passenger side window and attempted to flee from the accident scene. Correctional Officers from a transport vehicle observed Polk running and were able to apprehend him until troopers could arrive at the accident scene.

Upon Master Trooper Bradbury’s arrival to the scene, he spoke to Polk and immediately detected signs of intoxication. Polk refused to submit to any field sobriety test and to a certified chemical test. Polk was then transported to Putnam County Hospital due to a complaint of pain. Once cleared medically, Polk was transported to the Putnam County Jail where he was incarcerated. No other injuries were reported.

Master Trooper Bradbury was assisted at the crash scene by several troopers of the Putnamville Post, Cloverdale Volunteer Fire Department, Curtis Wrecker Service, and Putnam County EMS.

Interstate 70 westbound near the thirty-two-mile marker was reduced to one lane for cleanup for approximately three hours.

Arrested and Preliminary Charges: Benjamin Polk, 32, Indianapolis, IN

Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated, Class A Misdemeanor
Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person, Class C Misdemeanor