08/18/2025
Putnamville Post Investigating Pedestrian Fatality in Northern Clay County
Clay County - The Indiana State Police Putnamville Post is investigating a fatal crash that occurred last night on County Road 1450 North at State Road 59, where a pedestrian was struck by a passenger vehicle, resulting in death.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Caleb Hughes and accident reconstructionist Trooper Rondell Shelton indicated that at approximately 7:40 p.m., a 2018 Honda passenger vehicle operated by Courtney Withers, age 36, of Carbon, Indiana, was traveling westbound on County Road 1450 North. Withers failed to observe a male walking alongside the roadway and struck him. The vehicle then traveled to the south side of County Road 1450 North, running off the roadway, and coming to a stop.
The male walking on County Road 1450 North has been identified as Samuel Chambers, age 48, Carbon, Indiana. As a result of the impact, Chambers sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Clay County Coroner’s Office. His family has been notified.
Further investigation by Trooper Hughes revealed that Withers displayed signs of impairment. Withers submitted to participating in standard field sobriety tests and failed. A certified chemical test was performed, and those results are pending. The Clay County Department of Child Services was contacted because a child under the age of 18 was in Withers' vehicle. The child was later released to a family member.
Withers was taken into custody and transported to the Clay County Jail without incident.
Arrested and Charges: Courtney Withers, 36, Carbon
•Causing Death While Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Level 4 Felony
•Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated With a Passenger Under 18, Level 6 Felony
Assisting Agencies: Several troopers of the Putnamville State Police Post, Clay County Sheriff’s Department, Clay County Coroner's Office, and Starr Ambulance Service.
No mug photo was available at the time of this release
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