EVANSVILLE, Ind. – A 38-year-old man was arrested Sunday afternoon after allegedly attempting to flee a crash scene with another person clinging to his vehicle’s hood while under the influence, according to Evansville Police.
Authorities identified the suspect as Patrick Ryan, who now faces multiple felony charges including criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, battery, driving while intoxicated, and leaving the scene of a crash.
Chaos at Busy Intersection
The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. Sunday near the intersection of North Kentucky Avenue and East Diamond Avenue. Police said Ryan had been swerving in and out of traffic, hitting curbs, and driving erratically before rear-ending another vehicle.
After the collision, both drivers exited their cars to assess the damage. Witnesses told police that Ryan showed visible signs of impairment. The other driver tried to stop him from leaving by standing in front of his vehicle.
Attempted Escape Turns Dangerous
According to investigators, Ryan bumped the other driver with his car before trying to drive away. To avoid being struck again, the victim jumped onto the hood of Ryan’s vehicle.
Ryan allegedly continued driving a short distance with the victim still on the hood before eventually stopping. The person was able to safely get off the vehicle without sustaining serious injuries.
Witnesses called 911, and officers quickly arrived on the scene. Police reported a strong odor of alcohol coming from Ryan, and several bystanders confirmed seeing the entire sequence of events.
Arrest and Charges
Ryan was taken into custody after being medically cleared at a local hospital. He was later booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail without bond.
The charges against him include:
- Criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon
- Battery
- Operating a vehicle while intoxicated
- Leaving the scene of a crash
Authorities said no other injuries were reported, but the incident could have easily ended in tragedy.
Officials Urge Caution Amid Drunk Driving Incidents
Local law enforcement reiterated their ongoing warnings about the dangers of impaired driving, especially during evening and weekend hours when alcohol-related crashes tend to spike.
“Situations like this could have been fatal,” one Evansville police spokesperson said. “It’s a reminder that impaired driving doesn’t just endanger the driver—it puts everyone on the road at risk.”
Ryan remains in custody pending a court appearance. The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the investigation is ongoing and additional charges could be filed depending on toxicology results.
Stay tuned to HonkNews.com for verified updates on this developing case and other local crime reports from across Indiana.