The Claypool accident injured the driver but left a child unharmed.

CLAYPOOL — According to the police report, the single-vehicle accident that occured Saturday, March 31, was the result of speed and distracted driving. The accident injured the driver, but a 2-year-old child was uninjured.

The accident happened around 6:15 p.m. near  near West CR 700S, Claypool. A Jeep Patriot, driven by Amanda L. Lincoln, 35, North Main Street, Claypool, struck a NIPSCO utility pole. The vehicle left the roadway around 70 feet prior to striking the utility pole. There were no skid marks on the roadway or the ditch line to indicate that Lincoln had attempted to stop. The utility pole was snapped off at the base and pushed six feet until the vehicle came to a stop. 

Lincoln was transported to Parkview Hospital, Warsaw, for abdominal and pelvic pain. Colten Lincoln, age 2, was also in the vehicle but did not suffer any injuries.

An officer spoke with Lincoln at the hospital regarding the accident. According to the report, Lincoln stated she had been crying hysterically and wasn’t able to see. She advised her vehicle left the roadway and when she was able to see again it was too late and she had already struck the pole. She told the officer that she was driving around 45 miles per hour, which is 15 mph over the posted speed limit.

Another officer with the Claypool Police Department advised that they were at Lincoln’s residence shortly before the accident regarding a domestic dispute. The officer noted that Lincoln was very upset at that time and disregarded the officer’s command to stay at the residence. The officer observed Lincoln leave her residence in the Jeep at a high rate of speed. It was approximately two minutes later that the accident occured.

The accident report stated that an ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Claypool Police Department in cooperation with the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office.

Damages were estimated at up to $25,000.