Man who was streaming live video on Facebook while driving arrested on several charges

Evansville Police arrested Jason Dugger (28) on several charges during a traffic stop on Wednesday afternoon. The incident began when an officer was in traffic behind Dugger at the intersection of Vann and Washington. Both were northbound on Vann waiting for an opportunity to turn left onto Washington Ave. While waiting through several traffic light cycles, the officer noticed Dugger was holding a cell phone out of his window. 

Eventually, Dugger was the first car at the intersection, but had a red light. As soon as the light turned green, Dugger made a quick turn in the path of the southbound traffic. In doing so, he failed to yield the right of way to the southbound traffic. 

The officer witnessed the violation and tried to pull Dugger over. Dugger initially refused to pull over for the officer. Once he did stop, he was uncooperative and refused to identify himself or provide his driver’s license as required by Indiana law. At one point, Dugger rolled up his window and locked his doors. Dugger was given multiple opportunities to provide his driver’s license, but refused to do so. 

Dugger was told to get out of his car, but refused. He rolled the window down after officers told him they would break it if he refused to get out. Officers were then able to open the door and remove Dugger and place him into custody for resisting law enforcement and failure to identify. 

After Dugger was arrested, Officers found a loaded handgun on the driver’s side floorboard. Dugger had previously held a handgun permit when he lived in Tennessee, but has lived in Indiana for several years. Indiana law does not recognize out of state permits once the person moves to Indiana. Dugger was arrested at his Evansville home for felony domestic battery and strangulation in 2018. He also has extensive work history in Evansville. 

Dugger was arrested for Resisting Law Enforcement (L6 Felony), Possession of a handgun without a permit (Class A Misdemeanor), Failure to ID (Class C Misdemeanor), Failure to Yield Right of Way, and Failure to Notify BMV of Address Change. 

After the arrest, officers were made aware of a Facebook Live video on Dugger’s Facebook page. The video shows Dugger sitting at the light filming the marked police car behind him. While distracted by his own social media activity, Dugger commits the traffic violation in front of the officer. Fortunately, the other drivers were paying attention and did not collide with Dugger as he unsafely turned in front of them. The video also shows Dugger telling his Facebook followers “I ain’t stopping for his ass” as the officer tries to pull him over. The Facebook Live video will be preserved for evidence in his criminal case.