Wrong-Way Driver Arrested, Washington Woman Injured After Crash On I-69

(PIKE CO.) – Indiana State Police arrested a 50-year-old Michigan woman Wednesday night after she was involved in a crash while driving the wrong-way on I-69 near the 49 mile-marker.

At approximately 7:23 p.m., Pike County 911 Dispatch received several calls reporting a wrong-way driver in a 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis traveling south in the northbound lanes on I-69 near the 49 mile-marker.

Patricia Vanderhoff

Moments later, the driver of the wrong-way vehicle sideswiped another vehicle near the 42.8 mile-marker. Troopers located the vehicle which was which was being driven by 50-year-old Patricia Vanderhoff, of Grand Rapids, MI.

Investigators say Vanderhoff was traveling the wrong-way in the passing lane on I-69 near the 42.5 mile-marker when she sideswiped a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee that was traveling northbound. The Jeep Grand Cherokee received damage to the driver’s side and the vehicle’s air bag deployed.

The 64-year-old female driver from Washington was transported to Daviess County Community Hospital where she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Vanderhoff told troopers she was attempting to drive to Indianapolis from Louisville.

Investigators say Vanderhoff displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests, but she refused to submit to a chemical test.

A Pike County Sheriff’s K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics inside Vanderhoff’s vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed a plastic bag containing more than 38 Xanax pills and another plastic bag containing six Lortab pills.

Vanderhoff was arrested on charges of operating a vehicle while impaired on a controlled substance-refusal resulting in an injury, possession of a controlled substance.

She taken to the Pike County Jail where she is currently being held without bond.

Arresting Officer: Trooper Hunter Manning, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officers: Trooper CJ Boeckman and Trooper Brayden Angermeier

Assisting Agencies: Pike County Sheriff’s Office and Petersburg Police