Drunk Driver Flees Crash after Seriously Injuring Juvenile

On Saturday, November 19th at 1:10am the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office responded to 8901 Old State Road in reference to a motor vehicle crash with injuries.

Responding McCutchanville Fire Department firefighters found a wrecked maroon Chrysler PT Cruiser with an injured 14-year-old male passenger still inside. When the first Sheriff’s Office deputy arrived, the driver (later identified as Mr. Kaine Tanner) ran away from the crash scene. A Sheriff’s Office K-9 team responded to the scene, but a deputy apprehended Mr. Tanner in Clear Creek subdivision prior to the K-9 beginning a track of the suspect.

Mr. Tanner complained of pain and difficulty breathing after being apprehended and was transported to Deaconess Hospital for treatment. He was found to have suffered a broken collar bone and rib as a result of the crash. Preliminary toxicology testing revealed that Mr. Tanner had a blood alcohol content of .198% (the legal limit is .08). Mr. Tanner was treated and released from the hospital and then booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail.

Evidence gathered at the scene along with information provided by a witness indicated that Mr. Tanner had been operating the PT Cruiser at a high rate of speed on Old State Road before losing control. The vehicle exited a curve and ran off of the road and struck a tree in the yard of 8901 Old State Road. The passenger had to be extricated by McCutchanville Fire Department before being transported by ambulance to Deaconess Hospital for treatment of a broken leg. The passenger’s injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

Mr. Tanner remains lodged at the Vanderburgh County Jail with a $5,000 bond.

ARRESTED:

Kaine William Logan Tanner (pictured above), 21, of Evansville, IN. Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated causing Serious Bodily Injury as a Level 6 Felony, Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated with Child under 18 as a Level 6 Felony, Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated as a Class A Misdemeanor, Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated .15% BAC or More as a Class A Misdemeanor, Hit and Run with Serious Bodily Injury as a Level 6 Felony, No Insurance as a Class C Misdemeanor, Contributing to Delinquency of Minor as a Class A Misdemeanor, Resisting Law Enforcement as a Class A Misdemeanor, Furnishing Alcohol to Minor as a Class B Misdemeanor.

Pictured above: Crash scene on Old State Road.

Pictured above: Crash scene depicting ejected engine from wrecked PT Cruiser.

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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.