News Summary
Evansville authorities reported multiple drunk driving incidents leading to several arrests over the weekend. Notable cases include a driver with a BAC of .211 causing a disturbance and another who fled from an injury crash but was apprehended. A heroic citizen intervention also prevented a potentially tragic situation involving an extremely impaired driver. These events underline the dangers and ongoing concerns related to drunk driving in the area.
Multiple Drunk Driving Incidents Lead to Arrests in Evansville Over the Weekend
Evansville, Indiana — Law enforcement officials in Evansville reported several instances of impaired driving resulting in multiple arrests from Saturday through early Sunday. The incidents involved drivers with high blood alcohol content, reckless behavior, and a heroic act by a concerned citizen. Details of these cases highlight ongoing concerns regarding alcohol-related traffic violations in the area.
Saturday Night Incident on the Westside
At approximately 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, Albert Spencer, aged 48, was pulled over and placed under arrest after causing a disturbance on Evansville’s westside. Spencer was found driving through a construction zone, where he hit multiple construction cones. According to police reports, a construction cone was lodged underneath his truck as he continued driving despite the obstruction.
Spencer was located by a deputy on the shoulder of University Parkway, south of Upper Mount Vernon Road. Officers observed that he exhibited clear signs of intoxication, including slurred speech, watery eyes, and a noticeable smell of alcohol. A breathalyzer test conducted on the scene revealed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .211, significantly above the legal limit of .08. His driver’s license was found to be expired at the time of arrest.
He was charged with multiple offenses, including driving while intoxicated, endangering, driving with a BAC of .15 or more, and driving while suspended. Spencer is currently held on a $1,000 bond pending further legal proceedings.
Saturday Afternoon Crash Near Powell Avenue
Earlier that day, around 12:03 p.m., another drunk driving incident occurred in the 900 block of Powell Avenue near South Grand Avenue. Police responded to reports of a car crash and found a woman trapped inside her vehicle, which had been struck by a pickup truck driven by a 25-year-old Evansville man.
The suspect had initially fled on foot after the collision but returned to the scene shortly afterward. Officers observed the man demonstrating visible impairment, such as glossy eyes, slurred speech, and weak balance. An inspection of his vehicle revealed several empty beer cans, indicating alcohol consumption.
The driver was taken into custody and transported to Vanderburgh County Jail. He faces preliminary charges of operating while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an injury crash. His bond was set at $2,000. The condition of the injured woman was not specified in the police report.
Sunday Morning Incident in a Bar Parking Lot
On Sunday morning, 51-year-old Howard Lane Jr. was arrested after officers observed erratic behavior outside a bar on N Fulton Avenue. Lane was in a silver Dodge Charger and appeared to be intoxicated while attempting to leave the parking lot.
According to police, Lane’s turn signals were flickering on and off while the vehicle remained stationary. He then drove forward dangerously close to a fence before backing into a dumpster. When officers approached and signaled him to stop, Lane attempted to drive away but was quickly blocked by a patrol car. He was detained and tested at Vanderburgh County Jail, with a BAC of .159 recorded.
Lane was charged with driving while intoxicated and operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration of .15 or higher. He remains in custody awaiting further proceedings.
Volunteer Intervention Prevents Potential Tragedy
Earlier in the weekend, the Evansville police applauded a concerned citizen who intervened to prevent a tragedy involving a driver with a BAC of .40. On Saturday, June 21, at approximately 3:43 p.m., reports of erratic driving near a busy intersection prompted a bystander to act. The individual removed the keys from the ignition of the vehicle, stopping the driver before police arrived.
The male driver was taken into custody and transported to a hospital due to the severity of his intoxication. He faced preliminary charges of operating while intoxicated with a prior conviction and operating a vehicle without ever having received a license. The identity of this individual was not disclosed by authorities.
Summary and Context
These incidents highlight ongoing concerns over drunk driving in Evansville, with multiple individuals arrested for operating vehicles under the influence over a short period. Officials continue to emphasize the importance of responsible behavior and the dangers posed by intoxicated drivers on public roads. The community’s safety was notably enhanced by the actions of a citizen who prevented a potentially deadly situation involving an extremely impaired driver.
Authorities remind residents to always avoid driving after consuming alcohol and to report impaired drivers to local law enforcement to prevent tragedies and ensure road safety for all.
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Injuries Reported in Sacramento Residential Vehicle Crash and Legal Consequences
Additional Resources
- WTHR: Evansville Man Arrested
- 14 News: Man Arrested Driving Drunk
- Courier Press: Sobriety Checkpoints in Evansville
- Wikipedia: Driving Under the Influence
- Google Search: Evansville drunk driving
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