Full Notification

Vigo County---One of the Wabash Valley’s premier summer events will occur this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Vigo County Fairgrounds. The Scheid Diesel Extravaganza is well known among diesel truck enthusiasts and is expected to draw a few thousand spectators and hundreds of diesel pickup trucks. The large influx of fans and vehicles can often result in heavy traffic, alcohol related offenses, aggressive and reckless driving, and physical confrontations. The heavy traffic, along with the law violations and unsafe driving behaviors pose a substantial risk to the safety of those attending the event or simply passing by.

To lessen the potential for serious problems and or injuries along the roadways near the Vigo County Fairgrounds, the Indiana State Police, Vigo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Terre Haute Police Department will working vigorously around the clock to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians. A large contingent of these officers will be noticeable to area residents and those in attendance.

This event also falls within the statewide federally funded Operation Pull Over Blitz 76 currently underway. State, County, and Local officers will be targeting dangerous and impaired driving, any and all alcohol related violations, including underage drinking, passenger restraint violations, noise violations, passengers riding in the cargo area of the pickups and the “excessive smoke” statute.

The Indiana State Police will have approximately 55 troopers using marked and unmarked patrol cars, Ford Mustangs, patrol pickups, and Harley Davidson motorcycles to target those individuals wishing to violate the law.

State and local officers will be directing traffic at the main entrance of the fairgrounds and at the intersection of US 41 and Johnson Avenue. In years past, local merchant lots have been a place for some fans to congregate and party. This year, parking areas belonging to Burlington Coat Factory, Gander Mountain, Old Navy and Books-a-Million will not be available for party goers. Security will be onsite to prevent trespassing in the parking areas.

Attendees are encouraged to have a good time, but drive safe and sober, and simply obey the law. Area residents who notice a potentially dangerous congregating problem or traffic safety issue are urged to call local law enforcement.

During the 2012 event, ISP troopers arrested 27 drivers for DUI, issued 755 traffic citations, and made 33 criminal arrests.

-30-
Sergeant Joe Watts