On October 19th, at 5:06 P.M., EPD Officers were dispatched to the area of Joan Ave. and Joan Place for a young child who had been struck by a vehicle and was injured. The driver that struck the child fled the scene in the suspect vehicle. AMR and EFD were also dispatched to the scene and provided medical aid to the child. The child had lost consciousness while on scene but had regained consciousness and was transported to a local hospital. The child’s condition is stable and is expected to recover.
There were multiple witnesses on scene. Officers worked quickly to get a good description of the suspect vehicle and saturated the area in search of it. The vehicle was described as a white minivan. The suspect vehicle was observed by officers in the 2100 block of N Fares Ave. The vehicle was parked at a motel. Officers observed a male, later identified as Michael Pease, get into the suspect vehicle. Pease was detained by officers.
Pease admitted to driving the van but denied hitting the child.
Pease showed signs of impairment but refused to participate in a Field Sobriety Test. Detectives applied for and were granted a search warrant for a blood draw. Detectives obtained enough information to develop probable cause to arrest Pease. After Pease was taken to the hospital for a blood draw, he was arrested and Possession of Meth with a Prior Conviction; OMVWI Causing Serious Bodily Injury; Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon;
Possession Narcotics; Driving while Suspended Causing Serious Bodily Injury; Possession Paraphernalia; and OMVWI Refusal. Pease was booked into the Vanderburgh County Detention Center.
