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Linton man arrested for OVWI following weekend crash

A Linton man was arrested and is facing felony OVWI charges following a one-vehicle crash that happened around 1:40 a.m. Saturday morning.

Michael H. Chitwood

Michael Howard Chitwood, 47, Linton, was arrested by Sgt. Bobby Pierce of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department early Saturday, May 2. Chitwood was booked into the Greene County Jail around 4:20 a.m.

Sgt. Pierce, along with officers from the Linton Police Department, responded to a crash that occurred around 1:40 a.m. Saturday morning.

The crash, involving one vehicle, happened on County Road 1175 West, south of County Road 200 North.

Chitwood was determined to be the driver of a gray 2008 Pontiac G6 – LPD officers said Chitwood was in the driver’s seat and they helped him exit the vehicle.

Sgt. Pierce reported Chitwood showed numerous signs of intoxication including extremely poor balance. Police said he was staggering and his attitude was sporadically abusive.

Chitwood refused to cooperate with field sobriety testing, refused to answer any questions and refused to take a certified chemical test.

Sgt. Pierce requested a warrant and a blood sample was obtained by a medic from the Greene County Ambulance Service after Chitwood was transported to jail. Results are pending.

No further information was available concerning the crash.

Chitwood’s bond was set at $8,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. As of late Monday, he had not yet posted bond and remained in jail.

A criminal case against him was filed Monday and when he appears in court for his initial hearing, he will be formally charged with:

  • Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, a Class A misdemeanor,

  • Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person with a prior within seven years, a Level 6 felony,

  • Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor, and

  • Operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a prior conviction within seven years, a Level 6 felony.