Wednesday evening, motorists on I-64 reported a reckless driver traveling eastbound in excess of 100 MPH near the 58 MM.
Trooper Kern first observed the suspect vehicle passing the Ferdinand exit near the 63 MM and was not able to catch up to the Dodge Charger until the 72 MM, near I-64 and State Road 145.
The driver who was later identified as Zeberiah M. Stilwell, 40, Princeton, exited I-64 and traveled north on State Road 145 where he disregarded an INDOT barricade that was in place indicating a road closure.
Stilwell continued northbound on State Road 145 before making an abrupt u-turn and driving back south head-on towards Kern as he was attempting to exit his patrol car. Stilwell swerved before striking Kern and drove through a field near Taylor Hollow Road, before crashing into a ditch.
Stillwell and his passenger, William B. McCarter, 22, Vincennes both exited the vehicle and attempted escape on foot. Kern apprehended McCarter near the crash location. Meanwhile, Dubois County Sheriff’s Department had received a 911 call from a homeowner reporting a suspect was attempting to break into their residence which was located near the crash location. Moments later Trooper Blunk and Dubois County Deputy Gogel arrived and spotted Stilwell running through the woods away from the residence. Blunk and Gogel were able to chase down and apprehend Stilwell.
Stilwell was taken to Jasper Memorial Hospital by ambulance for a medical evaluation, before he was transported to the Dubois County Jail where he is currently being held on no bond for the following Charges:
Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, 1 Count, IC 35-44.1-3-1, Level 6 Felony
Common Nuisance, 1 Count, IC 35-45-1-5, Level 6 Felony
Criminal Recklessness, 1 Count, IC 35-42-2-2, Level 6 Felony
Auto Theft, 1 Count, IC 35-43-4-2.5, Level 6 Felony
Burglary, 1 Count, IC 35-43-2-1, Level 4 Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement without a Vehicle, 1 Count, IC 35-44.1-3-1, Class A Misdemeanor
Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash, 1 Count, IC 9-26-1-1.1, Class B Misdemeanor
Criminal Mischief, 1 Count, IC 35-43-1-1, Class A Misdemeanor
Possession of Marijuana, 1 Count, IC 35-48-4-11(a)(1), Class C Misdemeanor
Reckless Driving, 1 Count, IC 9-21-8-52, Class C Misdemeanor
Stilwell was Wanted on Warrants for the Following Charges:
State of Illinois, Burglary
(Year 2011) State of Indiana, Petition to Revoke:
Manufacturing a Schedule II Controlled Substance, 1 Count, IC 35-48-4-2, Level 6 Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine, 1 Count, IC 35-48-4-6.1, Class D Felony
Possession of Chemical W/Intent to Manufacture-Possession of Chemical Reagent of Precursors with Intent, 1 Count, IC 35-48-4-14.5, Class D Felony
Possession of Pseudoephedrine More than 10 Grams, 1 Count, IC 35-48-4.14.5, Class D Felony
Unlawful Possession of Syringe, 1 Count, IC 16-42-19-18, Class D Felony
Possession of Marijuana, 1 Count, IC 35-48-4-11, Class A Misdemeanor
Possession of Paraphernalia, 1 Count, IC 36-48-4-8.3, Class A Misdemeanor
McCarter, was taken to the Perry County Hospital by Senior Trooper Charlie Johnson for a medical evaluation before he was transported to the Dubois County Jail where he is currently being held on bond for the following charges:
Common Nuisance, 1 Count, IC 35-45-1-5, Level 6 Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement without a Vehicle, 1 Count, IC 35-44.1-3-1, Class A Misdemeanor
Possession of Marijuana, 1 Count, IC 35-48-4-11(a)(1), Class C Misdemeanor
Assisting Units: Sergeant Mark Green, Senior Trooper Charlie Johnson, Troopers Blunk, Henning, Nolan, Griffith along with Dubois County Sheriff’s Deputies Monarrez and Gogel, Birdseye First Responders, Jasper Memorial Hospital EMS and KARS Towing.
