On January 17, 2025, at 7:20 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of an accident close to the intersection of State Road 57 and State Road 357 near Oakland City.  Communications Officer Tiahanna Berry advised emergency service personnel a male in a camo hoodie had flipped a jeep and appeared to be under the influence.   Oakland City Officer Michael McGregor located the vehicle and the driver 35 year old Blake Whitson of Madisonville, Kentucky.  When Deputy Shawn Holmes arrived he conducted an investigation into the accident.   During the investigation it was revealed that Mr. Whitson was attempting to leave the scene when Officer McGregor arrived.  Also revealed during the investigation that drug paraphernalia was found in plain view inside the vehicle.  At that point Deputy Holmes began a roadside OWI investigation that resulted in Mr. Whitson being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail.  Upon arriving at the jail Mr. Whitson was charged with Possession of a Hypodermic Needle, Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, and Leaving the Scene of an Accident.
 
Assisting Deputy Holmes in his investigation was Oakland City Police Officer Michael McGregor, Deputy Michael Bates, and Deputy Bryan Small. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.