Passerby Flags Down Putnamville Trooper for Medical Emergency

December 30, 2017–Putnam County—Yesterday afternoon at 2:50, Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Trooper Yan Dravigne was flagged down in the westbound lanes of US 40 near County Road 300 East for a medical emergency.

A passerby, Indiana Department of Corrections Supervisor Kevin Orme, noticed a black 2002 Dodge pickup stalled in the roadway on westbound US 40 near 300E. As Orme approached the truck, he noticed the driver appeared to be unresponsive and the doors were locked. Orme then flagged over Trooper Dravigne who was patrolling nearby. As Trooper Dravigne approached the vehicle, he too noticed the driver appeared unresponsive and the doors were locked. Suddenly, the truck accelerated and drove off the north side of US 40 into a residential yard and mailbox. Trooper Dravigne and Orme quickly followed the vehicle on foot for the few feet and again noticed the driver appeared unresponsive and the doors were still locked.

Trooper Dravigne utilized his collapsible baton to break out the passenger side window of the truck to unlock the doors, and then enter the cab area. Trooper Dravigne quickly diagnosed the man as appearing to be seizing and choking. Dravigne cleared the victim’s airway of a large amount of chewing tobacco and then he and Orme maintained medical first aid until arrival of Putnam County EMS paramedics.

Steven Hornback, age 43, of Lafayette, IN. was transported to Putnam County Hospital for treatment. ISP has no additional information on Hornback’s condition.

Also assisting were Cloverdale Fire/Rescue units.

No pictures.

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SGT. JOE WATTS