DATE: Tuesday, February 5, 2020
SUBJECT: Arrests Made After Driver Attempts to Flee Upon Striking Sheriff’s Office Vehicle
RELEASE NUMBER: 2020-NR-010
CONTACT: Major Mark Rasure/ Lieutenant Nathan Sugarman
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Dave Wedding
On Wednesday, February 05, 2020 a Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office inmate transport vehicle was involved in a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Heidelbach Avenue and John Street. A pickup truck driving east on John Street failed to yield the right of way and struck a passenger car which was traveling south on Heidelbach Avenue. The truck and the passenger car both struck the prisoner van which was driving north on Heidelbach Avenue. The driver of the pickup later identified as, Zachary Moser, backed up and hit the van again in an attempt to flee the scene. Deputies driving the transport van exited and immediately detained Moser as well as two other passengers inside the truck, Takia Bailey and James C. Elliott. Deputies reported smelling the strong odor of burnt marijuana inside of the pickup. During a pat-down, Moser and Elliott were found to be in possession of illegal narcotics.
Moser and Takia Bailey were taken to Deaconess Hospital for complaint of pain. The driver of the passenger car was also transported to St. Vincent’s Hospital by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries. There were no prisoners in the Sheriff’s Office van at the time of the collision. The deputies were not injured.
Zachary Moser is charged with Possession of Schedule Drug, Operating a Motor Vehicle While intoxicated Causing Injury, Never Receiving a License, Hit and Run with injury, No Proof of Insurance and Disregarding a Stop Sign. Takia Bailey was released from the hospital and arrested on an outstanding warrant. The other passenger James C. Elliott was arrested for Possession of Marijuana.
Pursuant to Indiana state law regarding crashes involving serious bodily injury all three drivers were subject to a post-crash blood draw.
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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