Full Notification

On August 15, 2024, at 9:53 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a Silver Chevy Silverado traveling northbound on Interstate 69 that had struck a guardrail, and continued on without stopping.  The caller was able to give an accurate vehicle description as well as the license plate of the vehicle.  A Be On the Look Out was placed for the vehicle and multiple officers were dispatched to the area.  A short time later Central Dispatch received a report that the vehicle was now traveling southbound in the northbound lane of I69.  Deputy Michael Owens located the vehicle after it nearly hit him head on near the 31 mile marker.  Deputy Owens was able to turn on the vehicle and stop it at the 30.5 mile marker.  Upon stopping the vehicle Deputy Owens conducted a felony traffic stop placing 26 year old Miguel Santiago Velasco of Cincinnati into custody.  While speaking with Mr. Velasco Deputy Owens detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage.  At that point he began a roadside DUI investigation.  At the conclusion of his investigation he placed Mr. Velasco into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail.  Upon arriving at the jail Mr. Velasco was charged with Criminal Recklessness With a Vehicle, Reckless Driving, OWI- Refusal, and Operator Never Licensed.
 
Assisting Deputy Owens in his investigation were deputies Michael Bates and Sgt. Loren Barchett.  Also assisting were Oakland City Police Officer Jeff Hill and Oakland City University Police Chief Michael McGregor.
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.