KNOX COUNTY – On Sunday evening, Trooper Tanner Hurley was stationary on the right shoulder of northbound U.S. 41 near Camp Arthur Road with his emergency lights activated.
Hurley observed a blue Ford SUV approaching from behind in the right lane. Although no other vehicles prevented the driver from changing lanes, the SUV remained in the right lane and passed Hurley’s police vehicle.
Hurley initiated a traffic stop and identified the driver as Anthony L. Mason, 58, of Illinois. During the traffic stop, Hurley observed signs of impairment and, as part of his investigative process, obtained a search warrant to further the investigation.
Mason was arrested and transported to the Knox County Jail, where he was remanded into custody on the following preliminary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, endangerment, and resisting law enforcement.
This traffic stop occurred during the 6-State Trooper Project’s Move Over enforcement period, which runs from July 19 through July 25. The initiative brings together state police agencies from Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia to increase enforcement and public awareness of Move Over laws.
Indiana State Police reminds motorists that Indiana’s Move Over law, IC 9-21-8-35, requires drivers approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with its emergency lights activated to change lanes away from the vehicle when it is safe to do so. When drivers cannot safely change lanes, they must reduce their speed to at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit and proceed with caution.
The law also protects tow trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, utility service vehicles, certain other authorized service vehicles displaying flashing lights, and disabled vehicles displaying flashing hazard lights.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent until proven guilty through a fair and due legal process. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
