Man rescued from car in flooded field

CELINA - High water and strong winds sent a vehicle drifting off-road Wednesday morning, requiring the use of a military surplus truck to rescue the driver.

Celina police and fire departments along with the Mercer County Sheriff's Office received the call at 10:49 a.m. Jerry Miller reportedly was driving westbound on Schunck Road toward Meyer Road when the high water and strong wind made him lose control and carried the vehicle into a field. Schunck Road was closed due to high water at the time of the incident. Officials did not have other identifying details about Miller at press time.

Miller was transported to Mercer County Community Hospital in Coldwater with nonlife-threatening injuries.

Police department personnel used the department's M1078 military cargo truck to aid in the rescue. The truck is designed to traverse deep water and was requested specifically for its ability to travel through high water in emergencies and across closed roads, according to chief Tom Wale.

The department received the vehicle through a U.S. Armed Forces division. The Defense Logistics Agency-Disposition services reutilize, transfer or donate equipment no longer being used, according to Wale. The agency first goes between the various branches of services, and if not needed, it's then offered to different agencies and is ultimately made available to local law enforcement.

Wale said during the rescue they also used a boat they had acquired through the same program.

Sheriff's Capt. Martin Emerine said drivers must pay attention to road closed signs - they're there for a reason.

Wale echoed the sentiment, saying Miller was lucky he drifted into a field instead of a creek or river that had overflowed. If it had been late at night or he hadn't been seen, the water temperature was cold enough to cause life-threatening hypothermia.

Senate Bill 106 created a minor misdemeanor violation and a fine of up to $2,000 for drivers who ignore temporary signs and barriers placed by police to keep vehicles out of floodwaters. Emerine said Miller was cited, though he didn't go into further detail by press time.