Full Notification

On January 25, 2026, at 3:36 a.m. Gibson County Deputies were dealing with a stranded motorist in the construction on US 41 near County Road 100 West.  While deputies were attending the motorist who had the only lane of travel blocked Sgt. John Fischer was at the beginning of the construction area, stopping traffic.  While Sgt. Fischer was stopping traffic, a White 2025 Ram truck passed Sgt. Fischer’s fully marked vehicle that was actively displaying its red and blue emergency lights.  As the vehicle made its way to the stranded vehicle Deputy Michael Bates stopped the vehicle for disregarding an emergency vehicle.  Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Bates detected obvious signs of impairment coming from the driver 18-year-old Gabriel Rogers of Elwood, Indiana.  At that point Deputy Bates began a roadside OWI investigation which ultimately lead to Mr. Rogers being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center.  Upon arriving at the detention center Mr. Rogers was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated-Endangerment, Possession of a Schedule II Substance, and Minor Possession of an Alcoholic Beverage. 
 
Arresting Officer Michael Bates was assisted in his investigation by Deputies Levi Sims and John Fischer. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.