2 injured in Tipton accident

By JOHN DEMPSEY
Tribune staff writer

April 04, 2008 11:41 pm

— TIPTON — Two teenagers were seriously injured in a high-speed accident on 200 North just east of Ind. 19 in Tipton County Thursday night.
Driving a 2004 Ford Ranger 4x4, Alexandra Brooks-Trimble, 18, Windfall, was heading west on 200 North at a high rate of speed, according to Deputy Matt Tebbe. At approximately 50 West, the truck left the road, going south into an open field where it flipped several times.
Brooks-Trimble suffered head injuries and was transferred to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for treatment.
A passenger in the truck, Adam Shirley, 17, Tipton, also suffered head injuries and was taken to Methodist.
“The preliminary investigation shows ... it went through the intersection of 50 West at an extremely high rate of speed, lost control and went into an open field where it flipped five, and possibly, six times,” Tebbe said.
“I don’t know what they were doing and I won’t until I get a chance to talk to them.”
While the accident was caused by “speed all around,” Tebbe noted road conditions could possibly have played a role as well.
“We have wet roads,” he said, “and the roads here are in bad shape due to the freezing and thawing.”
Tebbe said Shirley suffered “serious and possibly critical injuries,” and was transported to Howard Regional Health System. Paramedics from Howard Regional were dispatched to meet the ambulance carrying Shirley. Emergency responders on scene confirmed reports that he had a severed arm.
Both of the injured were wearing seat belts, but the seat belts broke loose from the truck, Tebbe said.
Conditions of the two were unavailable Friday.
Mike Fletcher, Tribune reporter, contributed to this report