Vanderburgh County – This morning at approximately 8:35, Trooper Rafferty observed the driver of a 2019 Jeep improperly pass several vehicles and disregard the traffic light while traveling south on US 41 at Covert Avenue. Rafferty immediately activated his emergency lights and siren and attempted to stop the driver, but the driver continued south on US 41 before turning west onto Riverside Drive and eventually driving north on the pedestrian and bike trail. The driver continued north a short distance before veering off the trail and crashing into a wooden fence in the 1200 block of Akin Drive. The driver climbed out of the vehicle through the window and fled west. There were no pedestrians or bicyclists in the area. Troopers were able to identify the driver as Matthew Dunn, 35, of Evansville. Approximately 30 minutes after the crash, a neighbor observed Dunn knocking on a door at a nearby residence. Police were alerted and Dunn was taken into custody without further incident. Dunn was missing one of his shoes and troopers found the matching shoe inside the Jeep. Dunn was extremely incoherent and exhibiting signs and behavior of someone under the influence of illegal narcotics. Dunn submitted to field sobriety tests and failed. Dunn was taken to Ascension St. Vincent Hospital where he was medically cleared for incarceration. A blood test was administered and those results are pending. Further investigation revealed the 2019 Jeep was stolen from Audubon Chrysler in Henderson, KY. Dunn is currently being held without bond in the Vanderburgh County Jail.
Arrested and Charges:
• Matthew Dunn, 35, of Evansville, IN
1. Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Level 6 Felony
2. Auto Theft, Level 6 Felony
3. Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
4. Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
5. Driving While Suspended, Class A Misdemeanor
6. Leaving the Scene of a Crash, Class B Misdemeanor
Arresting Officer: Trooper Ross Rafferty, Indiana State Police
Assisting Officers: Sergeant Kylen Compton, Senior Trooper Seth Rainey, Senior Trooper John Davis, Master Trooper Bob Helfrich, Trooper Taylor Fox and Trooper Alex Vennekotter
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RINGLE
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.