(Milan, Ind.) – A man had to be flown by helicopter to the hospital after alcohol played a part in an SUV crash on State Road 101 near Milan late Wednesday night.

State Road 101 Google Maps

At about 11:40 p.m., Ripley County Communications received a call about the accident on the 1600 block of SR 101.

Ripley County deputies say it appears the driver, Paul Sinclair, of Moores Hill, was driving his 1998 Ford Expedition southbound when for unknown reasons his SUV went off the right side of the roadway.

The vehicle travelled about 200 feet off road before Sinclair, 46, overcorrected and crossed back over SR 101 for another 180 feet, eventually running off the east side of the roadway.  The SUV then went over an embankment and struck a creek bank about 20 feet below the road.

A neighbor who heard the accident from inside their home went outside and found the crash after hearing Sinclair’s screams for help. Sinclair was able to get out of the wrecked SUV but was unable to get out of the creek bed because of his injuries.

Aircare flew Sinclair to University Hospital in Cincinnati with non-life threatening injuries.

Investigators say alcohol and speed were both contributors to the accident and charges are possibly pending.  Sinclair was not wearing a seatbelt.

The accident remains under investigation by the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office.