MITCHELL — A 48-year-old Mitchell man who has never held a driver’s license faces multiple criminal charges after allegedly speeding at nearly 80 mph toward a crowd gathered for a community event while under the influence of alcohol, according to court documents filed by the Mitchell Police Department.
Michael A. Gentry was arrested on July 24, 2026, and remanded to the Lawrence County Jail. He faces preliminary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, OWI endangerment, reckless driving, and operating a vehicle having never received a license.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Officer Cody Blackwell, the incident began around 9:08 p.m. while the officer was patrolling northbound on State Road 37. Near the intersection of SR 37 and Doc Hamilton Boulevard, Officer Blackwell observed a vehicle rapidly approaching a group of northbound traffic from behind.
Vehicle radar locked the driver’s speed at 78 mph in a posted 50 mph zone. After conducting a U-turn, Officer Blackwell observed the vehicle execute two lane changes without signaling while maintaining its high speed.
The vehicle turned onto Hancock Avenue before pulling left into the bus parking area of Burris Elementary School, a location notably hosting the “Mitchell Night Swim,” an event that had begun at 9:00 p.m. and was catering to families and large crowds.
Upon being approached by police, Gentry immediately leaned out his window and apologized. Officer Blackwell observed that Gentry had slurred speech, glassy and bloodshot eyes, and smelled strongly of alcoholic beverages.
When asked for his license, Gentry handed officers an Indiana identification card and admitted that he had never been issued a driver’s license, stating he was unable to pass the written BMV examination. While fumbling through his paperwork to locate a vehicle registration, Gentry passed over several documents, claiming he had difficulty reading the small text.
Officer Emery arrived on scene to assist and spotted open alcohol containers on the front passenger seat. A search of the vehicle yielded three bottles of Corona Extra, including one half-full. Officers also located five Corona bottle caps and a small bottle of lime juice in Gentry’s pockets.
Gentry claimed he had consumed three beers roughly an hour prior after leaving work.
Due to a visible medical condition and complaints of back pain, full physical field sobriety tests were omitted. However, Gentry exhibited 4 out of 6 clues on the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. He subsequently refused a portable breath test and repeatedly refused a chemical test after being read Indiana Implied Consent warnings.
Gentry was transported to IU Health Bedford, where he refused a chemical test for a third time and grew increasingly aggressive toward officers. Judge Gouty granted a search warrant for Gentry’s blood at approximately 10:57 p.m., and a blood draw was executed at 12:11 a.m.
While at the hospital, Gentry’s son arrived after tracking his location using a mobile phone application. According to the affidavit, the son informed officers that the tracking application recorded Gentry traveling at a peak speed of 94 mph around the time of the traffic stop.
Following the blood draw, Gentry was booked into the Lawrence County Jail.
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.
