On December 12, 2025, at 8:04 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a two-vehicle accident on State Road 64 near the Wabash River Bridge. Upon arriving on scene, emergency service personnel discovered that a Blue 2012 Chrysler Van and a Gray 2021 Toyota Truck had collided and there was one person trapped inside the van. Patoka Township Fire and Owensville Fire extricated the individual and they were transported to an Evansville area hospital for treatment for a serious bodily injury.
During the investigation of the incident Deputy Eric Powell detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver of the Toyota truck, 25-year-old Zachary Whittler of Mount Carmel. At that point he began a roadside DUI involving a serious bodily injury accident investigation. Once the inquiry was completed Mr. Whittler was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Serious Bodily Injury.
Deputy Powell was assisted by several emergency service personnel from the Sheriff’s Office, Princeton Police Department, Fort Branch Police Department, Patoka Township Fire Department, Owensville Fire Department, and Gibson County Ambulance Service.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
