On the night of August 15, 2024, Gibson County Central Dispatch received an urgent report at 9:53 p.m. about a Silver Chevy Silverado that had struck a guardrail and continued traveling northbound on Interstate 69 without stopping. Thanks to a detailed vehicle description and license plate information from the caller, a Be On the Look Out was issued, and multiple officers were dispatched.
Shortly after the initial report, Central Dispatch received another alarming update indicating that the vehicle was now traveling southbound in the northbound lane. Deputy Michael Owens, responding to the situation, narrowly avoided a head-on collision near the 31-mile marker and subsequently managed to stop the vehicle at the 30.5-mile marker. The driver, identified as 26-year-old Miguel Santiago Velasco from Cincinnati, was immediately taken into custody.
During the interaction, Deputy Owens detected a strong odor of alcohol, prompting a roadside DUI investigation. Following the investigation, Mr. Velasco was charged with Criminal Recklessness With a Vehicle, Reckless Driving, Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) – Refusal, and Operator Never Licensed. He was then transported to the Gibson County Jail.
Deputy Owens was assisted in the investigation by deputies Michael Bates and Sgt. Loren Barchett. Additional support was provided by Oakland City Police Officer Jeff Hill and Oakland City University Police Chief Michael McGregor.
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