NEWS 25 - WEHT: Evansville, Henderson, Owensboro-Saturation Patrols Result in 8 Impaired Driving Arrests Friday

Saturation Patrols Result in 8 Impaired Driving Arrests Friday

story by: S. Chad Shoulders

EVANSVILLE - Indiana State Police conducted saturation patrols Friday night resulting in eight arrests of impaired drivers, 43 traffic tickets and 61 warnings, said public information officer, Sergeant Todd Ringle in a press release Saturday.

The extra patrols are a part of "The Safe Family Enforcement Blitz" targeting impaired and dangerous drivers in Vanderburgh, Gibson and Knox Counties as the holiday season approaches.

Indiana State Police and Warrick County Sheriff's Deputies also conducted a sobriety checkpoint between 10:00 p.m. and midnight Friday. Ringle says 87 drivers were checked at the checkpoint on S.R. 66 at Triple Crown Drive but no impaired drivers were detected.

According to ISP Sergeant Trevor Helmer the extra saturation patrols are based on last years fatality numbers during the Thanksgiving holiday where 15 people died on Indiana roadways, 66 percent of which were alcohol related.

The efforts are federally funded through grant money in a statewide group effort with over 250 agencies involved.

Indiana State Police say they are committed to traffic safety and will continue to conduct saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints to apprehend impaired drivers and to deter others from drinking and driving.

Drunk Driving Arrests in Vanderburgh County:

• Kenneth Miller, 62, Evansville, IN
• Derek Stewart, 46, Evansville, IN
• Amanda Dobbs, 29, Evansville, IN
• Walter Wilson, 24, Evansville, IN
• Christopher Schmitt, 39, Evansville, IN
• Juan Roblero, 27, Evansville, IN

Drunk Driving Arrests in Gibson County:

• Rodney Rybachek, 26, Owensville, IN

 Drunk Driving Arrests in Knox County:

• Joseph Manning, 53, Vincennes, IN