SUBJECT: Wrong Way Driver on I-69 Arrested after Causing Two Crashes
RELEASE NUMBER: 2019-NR-013
CONTACT: Major Noah Robinson
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Dave Wedding
A Newburgh man is in custody this morning after causing two crashes on I-69 while driving against traffic.
On Monday, February 18, 2019 at approximately 5:15 AM the Evansville – Vanderburgh Central Dispatch began receiving multiple calls reporting that a red pickup truck was driving southbound in the northbound lanes of I-69. Reports began coming in that two crashes had already resulted.
The first crash occured just north of Boonville New Harmony Rd when a black Hyundai Sonata traveling north on I-69 swerved and braked to avoid a head on collision. A second vehicle, a grey Lexus IS250, traveling behind the black Sonata also swerved, but couldn’t stop and crashed into the rear of the Sonata. Both drivers complained of minor pain, but refused medical treatment on scene.
The second crash occured near Millersburg Rd when the driver of a red Toyota Tacoma traveling northbound on I-69 saw the oncoming truck and slammed on his brakes. A black Chevy Tahoe traveling behind the Tacoma could not brake in time and struck the rear of the Tahoe. Both drivers were uninjured.
The red truck continued southbound to Lynch Road, where it was identifed as a red Ford F-150 by a responding sheriff’s deputy. The deputy, who was northbound on I-69 with his emergency lights and siren activated, had to swerve to avoid a head on collision. The deputy then initiated a pursuit with the red truck. Another deputy was able to stop traffic at the Morgan Ave overpass, causing the driver of the red truck to finally stop.
Mr. Dewig was taken into custody without further incident and later lodged at the Vanderburgh County Jail. While intoxicants are not believed to have been a factor in this incident, a medical condition has not been ruled out as a contributing factor.
ARRESTED:
John Robert Dewig (pictured above), 67, of Newburgh. Resisting Law Enforcement as a Level 6 Felony, Criminal Recklessness as a Class A Misdemeanor, Reckless Driving as a Class A Misdemeanor
Pictured above: Suspect vehicle on I-69 this morning.
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