Intentional fishtailing leads to wreck
Staff writer
A wreck Friday that a deputy’s report said was caused by reckless driving didn’t injure four young occupants of a pickup that overturned into a ditch and came to rest on the driver’s side.
Kaleb M. Blank, 20, Herington, was driving a 2012 GMC Sierra owned by Barbara J. Schlessener of Hope on 240th Rd. west of Old Mill Rd.
A witness who saw the GMC speed past told dispatchers he thought the pickup was drag racing.
Deputy Josh Meliza’s report said Blank drove the pickup from Old Mill Rd. onto 240th Rd. and deliberately fishtailed back and forth. Blank lost control of the pickup. It went into the left ditch and overturned.
Passengers were Silas R. Nickel, 15, Ramona; Emily M. Gilkey, 16, Hillsboro; and Rachel A. Schafer, 17, Hillsboro.
All were checked by Marion ambulance attendants, but no injuries were reported, and none were taken to a hospital.
Meliza cited him for both speeding and reckless driving.
The pickup was towed from the scene.
Because of a misunderstanding, the Record incorrectly reported in some editions that Blank had failed a coordination test and been ticketed for driving under the influence. The Record apologizes for the error.