Indiana Suburb Sees Unplanned Aircraft Landing in Front Yard

The late afternoon of December 13th took a turn for the exciting when a red, low wing, ultralight airplane crashed through the entrance of the Heather Ridge subdivision in Bremen, Indiana.

The welcoming sign was nearly tagged by the disintegrating aircraft's nose, but avoided the bulk of the plane's mass. 

Responding Indiana State Trooper Scott Hipsher arrived on scene with the St. Joseph County Police Department to find the operator was, in classic DUI fashion, relatively unharmed from the incident. Joseph Krol, 61, failed a field sobriety test at the scene and passed medical examination at the local hospital where he allegedly failed a drug test. Krol was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated- Endangerment and Operating While Intoxicated. He was taken to the local St. Joseph County Jail. He was later released on his own recognizance, said local media, and he is due in court on February 7, 2022 to see his charges through. 

The incident did little more than damage some trees, grass, and signposts, with zero injuries reported. Krol likely escaped the forced landing none the worse for wear, as is often seen in vehicular accidents involving inebriated operators, due to his delayed, limp response to the motion. The theory goes that natural inclination to tense up and lock the body in position during a quick forced deceleration event can sometimes do more harm than good. Whatever the case, it's a relatively happy ending to a story that could have ended much worse. 

FMI: www.in.gov