Carmel trying to recoup roundabout accident cost

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The town is trying to recoup expenses to fix the roundabout at 4th Avenue and West Main Street. (Photo by Ann Marie Shambaugh)
The town is trying to recoup expenses to fix the roundabout at 4th Avenue and West Main Street. (Photo by Ann Marie Shambaugh)

The City of Carmel plans to seek to recover costs from damages to the roundabout fountain at 4th Avenue and West Main Street after a recent automobile accident.

The motorist, identified as Sangyong Lee, 50, of Carmel, was driving westbound in a Toyota Sienna and struck the roundabout fountain in the middle of the intersection around 11:05 p.m. Nov. 2. At least two witnesses saw Lee drive away from the scene, abandon the vehicle and flee on foot, according to information released by the city. Lee was quickly apprehended by Carmel police, arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident.

Lee’s blood alcohol content was 0.05 at the scene, which is below the legal limit of 0.08, according to police.

Police estimate the cost of the damages around $25,000, but it could be more. Damage was done to the exterior stone wall of the pool and to cap stones along the rim of the pool. There could be potential electrical damage as well. The City Legal Department has begun the process of filing a claim with the driver to recover the costs of repairing the fountain.

“The taxpayers of Carmel should not pay the cost of repairs when public property is damaged due to the carelessness or negligence of drivers in our city,” Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard stated. “When accidents destroy our city’s streets, curbs, lighting, landscaping or other structures such as the fountain at 4th and Main, we will seek damages and prosecute to the full extent of the law to recover our costs.”


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