News Summary
Evansville police made multiple arrests over the weekend due to alcohol-related incidents. Four separate cases involving impaired drivers highlighted the dangers of drunk driving. One driver, Albert Spencer, recorded a Blood Alcohol Content of .211 while exhibiting erratic behavior. Another incident involved a crash on Powell Avenue with a driver fleeing the scene. A Good Samaritan intervened in a case where a driver had a BAC of .40. Local authorities emphasize the importance of community vigilance against drunk driving.
Multiple Drunk Driving Incidents Lead to Arrests in Evansville Over the Weekend
Evansville police responded to several alcohol-related incidents involving impaired drivers over the weekend, resulting in multiple arrests and one heroic intervention by a local citizen. Authorities reported four separate cases of alleged intoxicated driving, each with different circumstances and charges. The incidents highlight ongoing concerns about alcohol-impaired driving and its dangers on local roadways.
Saturday Night Arrest: Albert Spencer
At approximately 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, 48-year-old Albert Spencer was taken into custody after a series of concerning driving behaviors on Evansville’s westside. Spencer was reportedly seen driving through a construction zone, where he struck several cones, and continued driving with one cone wedged underneath his truck. A sheriff’s deputy found Spencer on the shoulder of University Parkway, south of Upper Mount Vernon Road.
Officers observed multiple signs of intoxication, including slurred speech, watery eyes, and a strong smell of alcohol. A breath test conducted at the scene registered a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .211, well above the legal limit of .08 in Indiana. It was also noted that Spencer’s driver’s license was expired, and he was charged with driving while intoxicated, endangering, driving with a BAC of .15 or more, and driving while suspended.
Spencer was held at Vanderburgh County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
Early Saturday Incident: Crash on Powell Avenue
At around 12:03 p.m. on Saturday, law enforcement responded to a collision on the 900 block of Powell Avenue near South Grand Avenue. The crash involved a vehicle driven by a 25-year-old Evansville man who was later arrested for impaired driving. Emergency responders found a woman trapped inside her vehicle at the scene, while the suspect had initially fled on foot but returned moments later.
Officers noted the suspect exhibited visible signs of intoxication, including glossy eyes, slurred speech, and weak balance. Several empty beer cans were discovered inside his vehicle. The man was taken into custody and booked into Vanderburgh County Jail on preliminary charges of operating while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an injury crash. His bond was set at $2,000. The police report did not specify the condition of the injured woman.
Sunday Night Arrest: Howard Lane Jr.
Police responded to reports of a reckless driver around 8:45 p.m. on Sunday involving 51-year-old Howard Lane Jr.. Officers observed Lane’s erratic behavior after he attempted to leave a bar parking lot on N Fulton Avenue in a silver Dodge Charger. Witnesses reported that his turn signals flashed on and off while the vehicle was stationary before he drove forward, nearly hitting a fence.
As officers approached, Lane backed his vehicle into a dumpster. Despite commands to stop, Lane attempted to leave the scene, prompting officers to block his vehicle with a patrol car. Lane showed clear signs of intoxication, and a subsequent breathalyzer test registered a BAC of .159. He was charged with driving while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle with an ACE of .15 or more.
Lane remains held in Vanderburgh County Jail on these charges.
Heroic Intervention: Stopping a Driver with a BAC of .40
Evansville police also highlighted a case of community cooperation that likely prevented a more serious incident. On Saturday, June 21, at approximately 3:43 p.m., a “good Samaritan” intervened to stop a driver exhibiting erratic behavior. The driver, whose identity was not released, was reported for dangerously reckless driving, nearly colliding with multiple vehicles.
The Good Samaritan removed the vehicle’s keys to prevent further harm before police arrived. The driver was found to be highly impaired, with a blood alcohol content measured at .40, nearly five times the legal limit. Due to the severity of his intoxication, the driver was hospitalized overnight. He faces preliminary charges, including operating while intoxicated with a prior conviction, and operating a vehicle without ever having received a license.
Overall Context
These weekend incidents in Evansville underscore the persistent issue of alcohol-impaired driving, which remains a significant concern for local law enforcement. Authorities continue efforts to curb drunk driving through patrols, arrests, and public awareness campaigns. The police urge residents to prioritize safety and report any suspected impaired drivers to prevent potentially tragic outcomes on the roads.
Officials remind all drivers to act responsibly and avoid alcohol consumption when planning to travel. The community safety depends on collective efforts to reduce the incidence of impaired driving and its tragic consequences.
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Additional Resources
- WTHR: Evansville Man Arrested
- 14 News: Man Arrested Driving Drunk
- Courier Press: Sobriety Checkpoints in Evansville
- Wikipedia: Driving Under the Influence
- Google Search: Evansville drunk driving
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