Two Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies have been treated and released from the local hospital after an accident last night involving a drunk driver on State Road 160 West of Salem.
Deputies Brad Naugle and Joe Keltner were called to the scene of a one-vehicle accident at 10:20p near the intersection of State Road 60 and Hammond Road in which a car was inverted.
Washington County EMS and Salem Fire Department were also called to the scene, but about 10:40p were called back to their stations, noting the officers on the scene had things under control.
At approximately 11:25p, the 911 dispatch called for the EMS unit to respond to Hammond Road, noting that Naugle’s vehicle (88-5) had been struck.
According to Sheriff Roger Newlon, while a wrecker was loading the first vehicle, Eric Wheeler drove into the scene, striking Naugle’s parked squad car, the wrecker and the car from the first accident.
Salem Police Department officer Chris Cauble arrested Wheeler, 51, Vallonia, for Operating While Intoxicated.
Indiana State Police Officer Carey Huls worked the scene.
Both Naugle and Keltner were taken to the hospital and checked out and later released.
Newlon said Naugle was in his vehicle doing paperwork associated with the first incident and Keltner was outside and was scraped by Wheeler’s bumper.
“They were very lucky,” said Newlon.
WSLM will have more information one the State Police report is finished.
