Pike County – Indiana State Police arrested a 50-year-old Michigan woman Wednesday night after she was involved in a crash while driving the wrong-way on I-69 near the 49 mile-marker.
At approximately 7:23 Wednesday night, Pike County 911 Dispatch received several calls reporting a wrong-way driver traveling south in the northbound lanes on I-69 near the 49 mile-marker. Moments later, the driver of the wrong-way vehicle sideswiped another vehicle near the 42.8 mile-marker. Troopers located the wrong-way driver at the 42.5 mile-marker. The wrong-way driver was identified as Patricia Vanderhoff, 50, of Grand Rapids, MI. She was driving a 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis.
Further investigation revealed Vanderhoff was traveling the wrong-way in the passing lane on I-69 near the 42.5 mile-marker when she sideswiped a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee that was traveling northbound in the driving lane. The Jeep Grand Cherokee received damage to the driver’s side and the vehicle’s air bag deployed. The 64-year-old female driver from Washington was transported to Daviess County Community Hospital where she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Vanderhoff was apparently attempting to drive to Indianapolis from Louisville.
Vanderhoff displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests, but she refused to submit to a chemical test. A Pike County Sheriff’s K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics inside Vanderhoff’s vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed a plastic bag containing over 38 Xanax pills and another plastic bag containing six Lortab pills. Vanderhoff was arrested and taken to the Pike County Jail where she is currently being held without bond.
Arrested and Charges:
Patricia Vanderhoff, 50, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Operating a Vehicle while Impaired-Refusal resulting in Injury (Controlled Substance), Level 4 Felony
Possession of a Controlled Substance, Class A Misdemeanor
Arresting Officer: Trooper Hunter Manning, Indiana State Police
Assisting Officers: Trooper CJ Boeckman and Trooper Brayden Angermeier
Assisting Agencies: Pike County Sheriff’s Office and Petersburg Police
