A Martin County man was arrested Wednesday afternoon after Troopers with the Indiana State Police allege that he was impaired when he crashed his vehicle into a charter bus and left the scene. At 2:30 PM Wednesday troopers were dispatched to a car versus bus crash at the intersection of County Roads 1200 East and 725 North, just north of West Boggs Lake, in Daviess County.While en route to the scene, troopers were informed by that the driver of the fleeing car had left the scene after having help changing a flat tire, and that the bus driver had obtained the car’s license plate number.
Troopers attempted to locate the vehicle, checking the area near the crash as well as near the residence of where the registered owner of vehicle lived. A short time later authorities observed the suspect’s car on County Road 1200 East near County Road 440 North. The trooper blocked the road with his emergency lights on and ordered the driver out of the car. While assisting the driver, 51-year old David O’Brien of Loogootee, out of the vehicle, police immediately could tell O’Brien was intoxicated.
They say he was bleeding from his arm as a result of the crash. First aid was adminstered by applying bandages to the wound. O’Brien was placed into into custody and taken to Daviess County Hospital, where he preliminarily tested with a blood alcohol content of 0.31%, almost four times the legal limit.
He was then taken to and booked into the the Daviess County Jail in Washington.
The Indiana State Police continues to encourage motorists to dial 911 and report any suspected reckless or impaired driving.