Charges filed in Muncie Creek crash

A Muncie man accused of abandoning a stolen car after crashing it into a creek — with two children in the vehicle — has been charged with three related felonies.

Brent Allen South, 27, of the 2600 block of East Centennial Avenue, is charged in Delaware Circuit Court 4 with driving with a controlled substance in system, residential entry and auto theft, all Level 6 felonies carrying maximum 30-month prison terms.

Authorities allege South stole a car — parked in the 2300 block of East Yale Avenue — on July 30. A short time later, the vehicle rolled down a bank into Muncie Creek, coming to rest on its roof.

Witnesses told police South then fled on foot, leaving two passengers, two girls, one 13 years old and the other 11 months old — in the car.

Authorities credited a bystander — Brandon Brooks, 25 — with entering the creek and rescuing the infant from the partially submerged vehicle, and also helping the teen to safety.

An initial hearing in the case is set for Sept. 14.

South is also set to stand trial Sept. 18 on four charges — possession of a narcotic drug, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and false informing — filed in May.