- Tuesday January 6th, 2015 :: 04:00 p.m. EST
Child Left Alone In Vehicle As Drunk Driver Flees From Trooper
North Vernon – A four year-old child was left alone in a vehicle after the drunk driver ran away from a trooper who was placing him under arrest.
On January 04, 2015 around 4:30 PM, Indiana State Police Trooper Stephen Wheeles stopped a green 1996 Honda on Country Squire Boulevard near Hoosier Drive for a traffic violation. Trooper Wheeles retrieved a driver’s license and registration from the occupant, James Earl 35, of North Vernon and observed behavior consistent with an intoxicated driver. Trooper Wheeles also observed a child in the back seat of the car. Trooper Wheeles instructed Earl in some roadside sobriety tests and determined that further investigation was warranted. While Trooper Wheeles was placing a handcuff on Earl, he broke away and ran, leaving his child alone in the car. Trooper Wheeles summoned his ISP K9 partner Kane from his police car. Trooper Wheeles and Kane chased after Earl and Kane apprehended Earl some distance later. Earl was bitten by K9 Kane during the apprehension. Earl refused medical treatment at the scene. Earl refused the offer to take a breath test as well. Trooper Wheeles later located what appeared to be marijuana inside the car.
Trooper Wheeles transported Earl to the Jennings County Jail where he was incarcerated without further incident. Earl is facing one count of Operating While Intoxicated with a minor in possession-Level 6 Felony, Neglect of a Dependent-Level 6 Felony, Resisting Law Enforcement (fleeing on foot)-Class A Misdemeanor and Possession of Marijuana-Class B Misdemeanor.
Earl’s four year-old son, who he left inside the car as he ran away, was released to Child Protective Services on the scene.
Address/Location
Indiana State Police-Versailles District 42-Versailles, IN
902 South Adams Street
Versailles, IN 47042
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 812-689-5000
Tommy Walker
Enforcement
[email protected]
812-689-5000