Teen Charged With OWI After Crashing Into SBPD Police Car

On Wednesday night, a 19-year-old was arrested after crashing head-on into a South Bend police car on Olive Street. According to police, the driver crossed the center line and struck the patrol car just after the officer completed a traffic stop near Tucker Drive and turned onto Olive Street. The entire incident was captured on the patrol vehicle’s dashboard camera.

While speaking with the driver, officers detected an odor of alcohol and observed him slurring his words and unstable on his feet. He declined both medical tests for minor injuries and a sobriety test but was transported to an area hospital for a blood draw and medical clearance. The officer was evaluated for a hand injury sustained during the crash.

The teen was ultimately transported to the St. Joseph County Jail and charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (OWI), Endangering a Person, and a Minor Consuming Alcohol in collaboration with the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office. He is scheduled to appear in court Friday.

In Indiana, OWI is a serious offense, especially for drivers under age 21. State law sets a lower threshold for underage drivers, with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of just 0.02% to trigger charges. A conviction can result in license suspension, fines, mandatory alcohol education or treatment programs, and potential imprisonment.

In this case, the driver faces additional consequences for Minor Consuming Alcohol and an enhanced OWI charge for endangering another person. Under Indiana Code, an OWI is elevated when an impaired driver operates a vehicle in a manner that puts another individual at risk of harm. This enhancement can increase the level of offense and result in harsher penalties, including longer license suspension, steeper fines, and more significant jail time.

Wilson & Kinsman, LLC is a full-service personal injury law firm. If you or a loved one have been injured, call 574-522-1900, book online now, or submit a form for your free consultation. With office locations in Elkhart and South Bend, Indiana, we proudly serve clients in St. Joseph County and throughout the state.