On September 4th, 2020, at approximately 9:26 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch put out a Be On the Look Out (aka BOLO) on a vehicle speeding on State Road 64 without their headlights being activated. After receiving several 911 calls Deputy U.B. Smith arrived in the Francisco area and saw the vehicle travel towards him with no headlights on. Deputy Smith turned on the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. However, the vehicle which was pulling a small watercraft behind it sped away. While pursuing the vehicle the small watercraft that was tied to the vehicle came off and struck a vehicle. Deputy Smith was able to catch up to the fleeing vehicle and identified the vehicle as a Red 1998 Jeep Cherokee. While pursuing the vehicle Deputy Smith observed the Jeep Cherokee drive in excess of the speed limit and with no regard for other motorists on the roadway. During the pursuit the Red Jeep traveled in the opposite lane of travel for extended periods of time and caused multiple vehicle accidents.
Ultimately the driver of the Red Jeep left the roadway and struck a ditch. While in the ditch the driver of the Jeep refused to obey Deputy Smith’s lawful orders to exit the vehicle and Pepperballs were deployed inside the vehicle. The driver who was identified as 37-year-old Tikelan D. Kilburn of Leavenworth, Indiana, was forcefully removed from the vehicle and taken into custody after a brief struggle. At that point Deputy Smith transported Mr. Kilburn to the Gibson General Emergency Room where he finished his investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Smith transported Mr. Kilburn to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with:
-Criminal Recklessness With a Vehicle
-Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury
-Criminal Mischief
-Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated
-Resisting Arrest With a Vehicle With Injury
-Resisting Law Enforcement
-Failure to Stop After and Accident
-Reckless Driving
-Aggressive Driving
Mr. Kilburn remains in custody on a $750 bond. Bond amounts are a set scale set by the Gibson County Judicial System and can be revisited by the Prosecutor’s office on a case by case basis.
Assisting Deputy Smith in his investigation was Deputies Zach Lienemann and Bryce Jutzi. Also assisting were Captains Bryan Ellis and Deborah Borchelt of the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond
a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
