BEDFORD — An Indianapolis man is facing multiple criminal charges after allegedly crashing a vehicle while intoxicated and fleeing the scene near a crowded concert event early Sunday morning.
Jaques D. McKeller, 20, was taken into custody by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department following a chaotic sequence of events on Guthrie Road that involved a vehicle crash, an alleged physical altercation, and a foot pursuit.
The incident began at approximately 2:34 a.m. on April 26, 2026. Deputy C. Pruett responded to a 911 call reporting a domestic physical fight occurring inside a black 2013 GMC Terrain traveling from a party in the 770 block of Guthrie Road.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered the vehicle had crashed near the 660 block of Guthrie Road. According to the probable cause affidavit, the driver, identified as McKeller, had already fled the scene on foot, jumping a nearby fence.
Two passengers remained at the scene. One passenger informed officers that she had been trying to take the keys from McKeller because he was intoxicated. She also claimed that during the struggle for the keys, McKeller began to strangle her, causing him to drive off the road and strike a utility pole and a road sign.
At the time of the crash, authorities noted that hundreds of pedestrians were walking along the roadway, having just left a concert at the Guthrie Road address.
McKeller returned to the scene at approximately 3:13 a.m. while Deputy Pruett was waiting for a tow truck. Noticing the suspect’s soaked clothing and slurred speech, deputies placed him under arrest.
Although McKeller denied being the driver, a security officer directing traffic at the concert venue confirmed his identity as the operator of the vehicle.
Following his arrest, McKeller was transported to the Lawrence County Jail, where he underwent Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) with the assistance of Bedford Police Officer Haluda. He failed those tests.
Despite multiple refusals to provide a breath sample or consent to a chemical test, a search warrant was obtained for a blood draw, which was eventually performed at IU Health Bedford Hospital at 6:04 a.m.
McKeller was booked into the Lawrence County Jail on the following preliminary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, OWI endangerment, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, and operating a vehicle while never obtaining his driver’s license.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
