- The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has arrested an intoxicated habitual traffic violator after observing him drive over grave markers at Sunset Memorial Cemetery.
- On Wednesday, March 08, 2017 at approximately 8:00 PM a sheriff’s deputy was parked in the Sunset Funeral Home and Memorial Park cemetery on Saint George Road when she observed a blue 1994 Buick Century approach at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was traveling north on Hitch and Peters Road, but failed to stop for the stop sign at Saint George Road. The vehicle ramped over the intersection and entered the exit lane of the cemetery while still traveling at a high rate of speed. The vehicle skidded onto the cemetery lawn and began running over grave markers. The vehicle then accelerated, crashing through a hedge bush and completing a loop of approximately 400 yards.
The vehicle sped past the sheriff’s deputy and exited the cemetery. The deputy activated her flashing lights and sirens and pursued the vehicle east on Saint George Road. The vehicle fled for approximately a half a mile before stopping in a parking lot at the intersection of Ward Road. The driver of the vehicle, Mr. Matthieu Resseguie, was then taken into custody without incident.
Fortunately the numerous grave markers that the vehicle drove over were flush to the ground, so only the raised planters mounted to the stones were destroyed. The surfaces of at least six marker stones sustained damage as well as much of the cemetery landscaping.
Mr. Resseguie showed obvious signs of intoxication, but refused to submit to field sobriety tests nor did he consent to a chemical test. A check of Mr. Resseguie’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles driving status revealed that he is a Habitual Traffic Violator.
Mr. Resseguie was taken to an area medical treatment facility for a laceration he sustained to his face during the crash. Once cleared medically, he was booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail.
ARRESTED:
Matthieu Wayne Resseguie (picture dated 12/2015), 35, of Evansville. Cemetery Mischief as a Level 6 Felony, Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated with Test Refusal as a Class A Misdemeanor, Resisting Law Enforcement as a Level 6 Felony, Operating while Habitual Traffic Violator as a Level 6 Felony, Operating without Insurance as a Class C Misdemeanor, Hit and Run / Leaving the Scene as a Class B Misdemeanor, Reckless Driving as a Class C Misdemeanor, Failure to Appear Warrant
Pictured above: Scene at Sunset Funeral Home and Memorial Park cemetery.
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Home Law Enforcement Intoxicated Habitual Traffic Violator Drives over Grave Stones, Flees from Deputy
