Evansville, Indiana, September 8, 2025
News Summary
Evansville, Indiana, witnessed several alarming drunk driving incidents over the weekend, resulting in three arrests. Authorities apprehended individuals exhibiting signs of intoxication, highlighting the growing dangers of impaired driving. One individual recorded a blood alcohol concentration of .211, while another was involved in an injury crash after fleeing the scene. Local police stress the importance of sober driving and urge community members to report suspected impaired drivers to enhance public safety.
Evansville, Indiana, experienced a troubling series of drunk driving incidents over the weekend, leading to multiple arrests. In total, authorities apprehended three individuals for various alcohol-related offenses, underscoring the dangers of impaired driving in the community.
In the first incident, 48-year-old Albert Spencer was arrested on Saturday night after driving through a construction zone on Evansville’s westside. Witnesses reported Spencer’s truck weaving through the area while hitting several construction cones, one of which became lodged under his vehicle. A deputy found him on the shoulder of University Parkway, where he exhibited signs of intoxication, such as slurred speech, watery eyes, and a strong smell of alcohol. A breath test recorded Spencer’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at an alarming .211. Additionally, he had an expired driver’s license at the time of his arrest. Spencer faces charges for driving while intoxicated, endangering others, driving with a BAC of .15 or more, and driving while suspended. He is currently being held on a $1,000 bond.
In another incident on Saturday afternoon, a 25-year-old Evansville man was involved in a drunk driving crash around 12:03 p.m. on Powell Avenue near South Grand Avenue. Officers arrived to find a woman trapped inside her vehicle while the suspect initially fled the scene on foot. He returned shortly after and displayed clear signs of impairment, including glossy eyes and slurred speech. Empty beer cans were found inside his car. The suspect was subsequently booked at Vanderburgh County Jail on preliminary charges of operating while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an injury crash. His bond is set at $2,000. The condition of the injured driver is currently unknown according to the police report.
A further arrest took place on Saturday involving 51-year-old Howard Lane Jr., who crashed his vehicle into a dumpster while attempting to leave a bar parking lot. Officers noticed his erratic behavior outside the bar, where his turn signals were activated improperly before he nearly hit a fence. Lane backed into a dumpster while trying to evade officers, who used their patrol car to stop him. He displayed clear signs of intoxication and tested with a BAC of .159 at the county jail. Lane is now charged with driving while intoxicated and operating a vehicle with an ACE of .15 or more.
Additionally, a noteworthy intervention by a “good Samaritan” occurred on Saturday, June 21, at around 3:43 p.m. This individual stopped a driver with a dangerously high BAC of .40 by removing the keys from the ignition after observing erratic driving that nearly led to collisions with several vehicles. The driver was hospitalized overnight due to potentially life-threatening levels of intoxication and faces preliminary charges for operating while intoxicated with a previous conviction and for operating a vehicle without ever having a license.
These incidents highlight the serious threat posed by drunk driving in Evansville, prompting local authorities to stress the importance of sober driving. The police department encourages community members to report any potentially impaired drivers to prevent accidents and protect public safety.
FAQ
What is the legal blood alcohol concentration limit for driving in Indiana?
The legal BAC limit for driving in Indiana is .08.
What are the potential penalties for drunk driving in Indiana?
Penalties for drunk driving can range from fines and license suspension to jail time, depending on the severity of the offense and whether it is a repeat offense.
How can I report a suspected drunk driver?
You can report a suspected drunk driver by calling local law enforcement or 911, providing as much detail as possible about the vehicle and its location.
| Suspect | Age | Charges | BAC | Bond Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albert Spencer | 48 | Driving while intoxicated, endangering, driving with a BAC of .15 or more, driving while suspended | .211 | $1,000 |
| 25-year-old male | 25 | Operating while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an injury crash | Not specified | $2,000 |
| Howard Lane Jr. | 51 | Driving while intoxicated, operating a vehicle with an ACE of .15 or more | .159 | Not specified |
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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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