JASPER CO. – Thursday night at approximately 8:15 p.m., troopers were dispatched to an injury crash involving an INDOT (Indiana Department of Transportation) snowplow. The crash occurred on I-65 southbound at the 224.3 mile-marker. This is 4 miles north of the Fair Oaks exit and 6 miles south of Roselawn. Trooper Dennis Griffin arrived at the scene of the crash and located a yellow INDOT snowplow stopped in the left lane. A silver Chevrolet mini-van was also stopped in the left lane. Preliminary investigation revealed that the snowplow was actively plowing in the left lanes, with its amber lights flashing, when it was rear-ended at a high rate of speed by the minivan.
Trooper Griffin spoke to the driver of the minivan and during this conversation, he detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath. Trooper Griffin also later discovered an open container of vodka inside the minivan. The man was complaining of a minor injury and an ambulance was called to the scene. He was then transported to Franciscan Health Hospital in Rensselaer for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. While at the hospital, the driver of the minivan consented to a blood draw chemical test for intoxication. Those results are pending analysis by the Indiana Department of Toxicology.
The driver, O’mar R. Jones, 34, from Huntsville, Alabama, was medically cleared and transported to the Jasper County Jail. He is preliminarily charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangerment, OWI, operating a vehicle while never obtaining a driver’s license
The driver of the snowplow was transported to Franciscan Health in Rensselaer for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
The Indiana State Police would like to remind drivers to first and foremost always drive sober. Secondly, when you see a snowplow, slow down and give them room. Snowplows travel at a reduced speed to remove the snow from the roadway and spread salt.
