News briefs for March 18, 2008

March 18, 2008

Two hurt in local ATV accidents

BEDFORD — Two people were injured in separate all-terrain vehicle accidents this weekend.

Michael K. Webb, 27, 316 Old Ind. 37, suffered injuries to his right leg and knee. He was treated and released at Bedford Regional Medical Center.

Webb was injured when driving his four-wheeler through the woods and struck a tree about 6 p.m. Sunday, according to Indiana Conservation Officer Ryan Jahn.

Brandon D. Pierce, 13, 278 Liberty Bell Street was injured about 7 p.m. Sunday in a crash off Meridian Street in East Oolitic.

He suffered a twisted ankle and a bruised leg. He also was treated and released from BRMC.

Pierce told officers he was in a relative’s driveway when he caught his left leg in a tire on a four-wheeler, Jahn said.

Veterans’ officer warns of scam

BEDFORD — Bill Baker, Lawrence County Veterans services officer, said a local veteran received a call from someone Monday requesting the man’s Social Security number. The caller, identifying himself as affiliated with a veterans group in Indianapolis, called back later and asked for his wife’s Social Security number.

“The Veterans Administration will not ask for that information over the telephone,” Baker warned. “If you get one of those calls asking for your social security number or birthday, don’t give out your personal info.”

For more information, contact Baker at 275-6411.

Two men injured in traffic accident

BEDFORD — Two men were injured in a traffic accident on R Street Saturday at 8:05 a.m.

Dennis Roberts, 59, 303 S St., suffered minor bleeding from his month and complained of loose front teeth, and Anthony D. Gilliland, 24, 620 T St., suffered minor cuts and bleeding to his face. Both men refused medical attention at the scene.

Roberts was southbound on R Street preparing to turn east onto 61?2 Street, and Gilliland was northbound on R Street, according to a Bedford Police Department accident report.

There is a stop sign for east and west traffic and north and south traffic has the right-of-way at the intersection.

Roberts turned into Gilliland’s car as it passed through the intersection. He told police that he failed to see the car approaching, the report stated.

Gilliland told officers he saw Roberts’ truck approaching. He said Roberts’ truck turned into his car. Afterward, his car struck a stop sign.

Estimated damage to Roberts’ black 1996 Ford Ranger and Gilliland’s maroon 1994 Pontiac Grand Am registered to Tab Morris, 2305 T St., was between $5,001 and $10,000, the report stated.

Bedford home damaged by blaze

BEDFORD — A Washington Avenue home was damaged by a fire Monday night.

The blaze at the home of Ardis J. Vance, 3315 Washington Ave., was contained to a basement, but the entire house sustained smoke damage.

A woman at the home was asleep when it started and was awakened by a smoke detector, according to Bedford Fire Chief Scott Gillespie. The woman attempted to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. She was unsuccessful, and the fire department was called at 9:42 p.m.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze, which was caused by a scented candle. The flame spread to an adjoining table and cloth material.

Gillespie said there also was charring on a floor joist in the basement.

“As with any open flame, people need to take precaution, and in this case a smoke detector made the difference,” he said.

Gillespie urges people to check smoke detectors once a month.

— Times-Mail

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