Sheriff’s Office Patrol Vehicle Struck by Drunk Driver at the Scene of I-64 Tractor-Trailer Crash

On Saturday, April 02, 2016 at 4:35 a.m. the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a tractor-trailer crash on Interstate 64.

A Federal Express semi-tractor with tandem trailers had been eastbound on I-64 approximately 2 miles east of State Road 65 when the driver fell asleep and left the roadway. The tractor overturned, causing both trailers to fall onto the highway, completely blocking the eastbound lanes. The driver was not believed to have been seriously injured and was transported to the hospital by ambulance with a complaint of shoulder pain.

At approximately 5:57 a.m. a silver 2013 Kia Sol 4-door driven by Mr. Jacob David Humphrey approached the crash scene from the west. Mr. Humphrey failed to notice that a marked Sheriff’s Office vehicle with flashing lights was stopped in the left lane. Mr. Humphrey’s vehicle struck the rear of the Sheriff’s Office vehicle, deploying the airbag of the Kia Sol. The Sheriff’s Office vehicle was unoccupied at the time.

Deputies determined that Mr. Humphrey was intoxicated after he failed a series of field sobriety tests and tested .185 BrAC on a portable breath test. Mr. Humphrey was transported to the jail, but refused to take a certified breath test.

By 7:36 a.m. eastbound traffic had been restored to one lane, both lanes were opened by 9:00 a.m.

ARRESTED:

Jacob David Humphrey (pictured above), 32, of Brandenburg, KY. Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated as a Level 6 Felony with Test Refusal, Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated as a Class A Misdemeanor, Expired License Plate as a Class C Infraction, Operating without Motor Vehicle Insurance as a Class A Infraction, Failure to Yield to a Emergency Vehicle as a Class C Infraction

Pictured above: Eastbound traffic lanes of I-64 after the first crash.

Pictured above: Westbound traffic lane of I-64 after the second crash.

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