Intoxicated Motorist Arrested after Fleeing Crash on I-69

A Henderson man is in jail this morning after fleeing the scene of a crash on I-69.

On Friday, January 26, 2018 at 7:32 PM the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of I-69 east of the US 41 interchange upon report of a hit and run crash involving a possible impaired driver. The victim reported that he had been driving a tow truck east on I-69 when when he collided with a maroon colored Mazda that had made an illegal U-turn. The victim explained that the Mazda used a highway maintenance drive to enter his lane from the westbound lanes.

After the crash, the severely damaged Mazda fled the scene traveling west on I-69. A witness later called 911 to report the now disabled vehicle at a gas station in the 1100 block of Washington Avenue. Sheriff’s deputies located the driver at the gas station and identified him as Mr. Michael James Wood. Mr. Wood showed obvious signs of intoxication and was transported from the scene. Mr. Wood’s wrecked Mazda CX-7 appeared to be a total loss and was towed away. 

Mr. Wood was transported to the Sheriff`s Operations Center, where he agreed to field sobriety testing.  Mr. Wood failed all the tests that were offered to him. A certified breath test showed Mr. Wood’s breath alcohol content to be .116. 

Mr. Wood was convicted of Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated in the State of Wisconsin in 2014, which enhances his current offense to a Level 6 Felony. Mr. Wood remains in jail on $750.00 bond. Neither Mr. Wood or the victim reported any injuries as a result of the collision.

ARRESTED:

Michael James Wood (pictured above), 37, of Henderson. Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident as a Class B Misdemeanor, Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated as a Level 6 Felony, Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated as a Class C Misdemeanor, Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated as a Class A Misdemeanor

Pictured above: Wrecked Mazda CX-7

Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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