(St. Omer, IN) – A 30-year-old Greensburg man is facing a lengthy list of charges following a crash and vehicle fire Tuesday evening near St. Omer.
The Decatur County Sheriff’s Office says Dispatch received several calls around 6:30 p.m. about a possible intoxicated driver recklessly operating a vehicle.
One caller said a number of road signs were driven over and the vehicle was on fire.
Deputies arriving on the scene located the vehicle fully engulfed near the intersection of County Road 650 West and U.S. 421.
The driver was found in the bed of a pickup truck that stopped to render assistance.
Deputies say, as they approached the man, later identified as Jonathon Gahwiller, he appeared to be extremely intoxicated.
According to investigators, Gahwiller exited the pickup truck bed and became combative
Gahwiller was taken to the ground and allegedly kicked a deputy.
Because of his aggressive behavior, a Greensburg Police officer arrived on scene to assist.
While law enforcement tried to subdue Gahwiller, he allegedly kicked the GPD officer in the chin.
It was later determined that the vehicle that went up in flames (pictured) belonged to Gahwiller.
Gahwiller was arrested and charged with Battery on a Public Official (Level 5 felony); Battery on a Public Official (Level 6 felony); Operating While Intoxicated/Prior (Level 6 felony); Resisting Law Enforcement (Class A misdemeanor); Criminal Mischief (Class B misdemeanor); and Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident (Class B misdemeanor).
In addition to the Greensburg Police Department and Decatur County Dispatch, the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office received assistance from Decatur County EMS; the St. Paul and Adams Township volunteer fire departments, and Platinum Wrecker Service.
