Solsberry man arrested on alcohol-related charges after wrecking car

Missing a curve and crashing into a guardrail while under the influence of alcohol resulted in the June 19 arrest of a 44-year-old Solsberry man. 

Greene County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Brenton Taylor arrested Kelly Whiting on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, operating a vehicle while intoxicated first offense and no endangerment, and operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to .15 or more. 

At approximately 10:15 a.m. on June 19, Deputies Taylor and Zach Goad were dispatched to a single-vehicle accident on North State Road 43 near Washboard Road. Officers found Whiting sitting on the ground, leaning against a broken guard rail. According to an incident report filed by Deputy Taylor, it appeared as if Whiting missed a curve in the road and continued straight through a guardrail. The vehicle continued down a small hill and came to rest on the edge of a woodline on the west side of the road. 

Whiting refused an ambulance when offered but did tell officers he’d like an accident report for insurance purposes. Whiting went to the vehicle to retrieve his license, registration, and insurance information. When returning from the vehicle, according to the incident report, officers noticed his balance was poor. While speaking with the officers, Deputy Goad detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath. While standing next to his vehicle, officers noticed several beer cans on the ground near the driver’s side door. 

According to the incident report, Whiting was asked how much he’d had to drink to which he replied, “not that much”. He was allegedly asked to clarify how much he’d had to drink and he responded, “nowhere near enough”. He denied drinking since the accident had occurred. 

Whiting was asked to complete a standardized field sobriety test; however, he denied. He alleged he was too shaken up and had spinal issues.

When Whiting’s vehicle was removed from the scene by a wrecker service, Deputy Harvey Holt noticed multiple bottles of alcohol inside including beer cans and whiskey. 

Whiting was transported to Greene County Jail where he consented to a chemical test. At 12:08 p.m., a certified breath test began. According to the incident report, the test displayed an error after detecting mouth alcohol. A second test began at 12:40 p.m. The results showed an alcohol content of .200. 

He’s being charged with: operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, a Class A Misdemeanor, operating a vehicle while intoxicated first offense and no endangerment, a Class C Misdemeanor, and operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to .15 or more, a Class A Misdemeanor.

His bond was set at $4,000 surety with 10% cash allowed. Greene County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Brenton Taylor was the arresting officer. He was later released after posting $400. 

He appeared in Greene Superior Court June 26 for an initial hearing.