Indiana State Police at the Evansville District conducted a saturation patrol Friday night/Saturday morning targeting dangerous and impaired drivers. Between 8 p.m. and midnight, troopers arrested four impaired drivers and made several drug arrests in Posey, Vanderburgh, Warrick, and Knox Counties.
Extra patrols are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through an Indiana Criminal Justice Institute grant.
Impaired Driving Arrest in Vanderburgh County:
Lenoir Norris, 33, Bloomington, IL
Norris was stopped Friday night on I-69 near the 1 mile-marker for driving 76 mph in a 60 mph zone. Norris displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests. Further investigation revealed he had a BAC of .10%. Norris was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail.
Driving While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
Impaired Driving Arrest in Warrick County:
Steven Ricci, 24, Newburgh, IN
Ricci was stopped on SR66 near Trinity Drive for driving 86 mph in a 50 mph zone. Ricci displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests. Further investigation revealed he had a BAC of .14%. Ricci was arrested and taken to the Warrick County Jail.
Driving While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
Reckless Driving, Class C Misdemeanor
Impaired Driving Arrest in Knox County:
Zackary Ball, 29, Vincennes, IN
Ball was stopped on Willow Street near 6th Street in Vincennes for a defective headlight. Troopers discovered Ball was in possession of meth, marijuana, a controlled substance, and drug paraphernalia. Ball displayed signs of impairment but refused to submit to a chemical test. He was arrested and taken to the Knox County Jail.
Possession of Meth, Class 6 Felony
Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
Possession of a Controlled Substance, Class A Misdemeanor
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor
Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
Impaired Driving Arrest in Posey County:
Cobie Vogler, 19, Carmi, IL
Vogler was stopped on SR62 near Gun Club Road for having a defective license plate light. Vogler displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests. Further investigation revealed Vogler was under the influence of meth. He was arrested and taken to the Posey County Jail.
Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
Additional Drug Arrest in Posey County:
Brett Hansman, 19, Carmi, IL
Hansman was a passenger in the vehicle that was stopped on SR62 near Gun Club Road. A search revealed Hansman was in possession of approximately 10 grams of meth and 22 grams of marijuana. Hansman was arrested and taken to the Posey County Jail.
Possession of Meth, Class 4 Felony
Possession of Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor
Possession Drug Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor
The holiday season is one of the deadliest times of the year for impaired driving fatalities. Last December in Indiana, there were 415 alcohol-related crashes, resulting in 105 injuries and 11 fatalities.
The Indiana State Police are committed to traffic safety and will continue to conduct special patrols throughout the holiday season to apprehend impaired drivers and to deter others from driving while impaired.
Arresting Officers: Trooper Boeckman, Trooper Otolski, Trooper Widner, Trooper Stewart, and Trooper Eaton
Assisting Officers: Trooper Manning, Trooper Angermeier, Trooper Hatfield, Trooper Fulton, and Sgt. Compton
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
