Full Notification

On June 24, 2018, at 10:51 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a wrong way driver on US 41 near the Decker exit in Knox County. Deputy U.B. Smith began traveling Northbound on US 41 towards the Knox County Line when he observed a Blue 1999 Chevy sports utility vehicle traveling Southbound in the Northbound lane of US 41 near the North Patoka exit. At that point Deputy Smith began running parallel in the southbound lane attempting to stop the vehicle. After a short pursuit that resulted in speeds of up to 85 mph stop sticks were deployed just north of County Road 100 North near Princeton. The vehicle then came to a stop and the driver 52 year old Ronald Morton of Danville, Illinois was taken into custody.

After a roadside investigation Mr. Morton was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (Refusal), Reckless Driving, Aggressive Driving, and Resisting Arrest with a Vehicle. Mr. Morton remains in custody on a $1500 bond.

Assisting Deputy Smith in his investigation was Sgt. Bruce Vanoven of the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office, and Princeton Officers Lincoln Edwards, Matthew Perry, and Sgt. Steve McNeece.

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.