When a deputy attempted to stop a driver last November, suspected of being intoxicated, on SR 157 near Worthington, the driver fled toward Bloomfield. Stop sticks were deployed. The driver crashed his vehicle and was injured. After results of a toxicology test came back, a warrant was issued for the driver’s arrest.

Thurman W. Rutledge, 28, Terre Haute, is wanted on a warrant for his arrest issued earlier today as a result of an investigation by Deputy Davis Aerne into an incident and crash that occurred in early November.

At 11:42 p.m. on Sunday, November 8, 2020, a caller told dispatch about a possible drunk driver. The caller said the driver had been drinking at a bar, left in a pickup truck and was heading from Worthington to Bloomfield on State Road 157.

Deputy Aerne responded and located the vehicle on the east edge of Worthington on SR 157. The vehicle allegedly crossed the center line twice near the bridge over White River and the deputy activated the red and blue lights near Owen Farm Road.

The driver was later identified as Rutledge.

The pickup truck did not stop but took the curve at 40 mph then passed Wilson Road, passed the Calvertville Road turn-off and continued on southbound on SR 157 at a speed of approximately 60 mph, while allegedly crossing the center line several times.

While the vehicle was traveling toward Bloomfield with Deputy Aerne following, GCSD Deputy Michael Stanley and Deputy Jordan Allor responded to assist.

Deputy Stanley positioned on the highway with his emergency lights on. Rutledge’s vehicle approached and both were then southbound on SR 157 when Rutledge pulled alongside Deputy Stanley’s patrol vehicle and struck the patrol vehicle. Deputy Stanley was not reported to be injured but his patrol vehicle had damage to the driver’s side mirror and driver’s side rear door.

Deputy Allor positioned at the intersection with Hollars Road and set up stop sticks which Rutledge’s vehicle hit as Deputy Aerne continued to follow with lights and sirens on.

Deputy Aerne reported he saw the pickup truck leave the east side of the roadway, about a quarter of a mile after hitting the stop sticks. The pickup truck then flipped and rolled before coming to a rest in the area of a residence on SR 157 north of Bloomfield.  

With Deputies Aerne, Stanley and Allor on the scene and with an ambulance and GCSD Sgt. Bobby Pierce on the way, they located Rutledge on the ground about 50 feet away from his vehicle. Rutledge had been ejected through the back glass and was not responsive.

Deputies reported there was a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle and several empty alcohol containers were lying around the vehicle. An open Bud Lite can was wedged in a seat of the vehicle.

The vehicle sustained major damage to the rear bed and roof top and the entire front end. It had hit a mailbox and concrete block letters.

Rutledge was transported to IU Health Bloomington Hospital. No additional information regarding Rutledge’s injuries has been released. A search warrant was granted for a blood draw, taken by hospital staff, and results were pending.

In January when toxicology test results were returned, the analysis showed Rutledge had a BAC of .198 at the time of his test.

Rutledge is facing preliminary charges of:

• Resisting law enforcement, using a vehicle, a Level 6 felony,

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

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

• Operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to .15 or more, a Class A misdemeanor.