TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — An Indianapolis man is facing neglect charges following a OWI-related crash on I-70.
Christopher Mack, 37, was driving a dark passenger car westbound near the 18 mile marker with two children in car seats. Witnesses reported seeing Mack driving erratically before his vehicle struck a guardrail.
When Indiana State Police troopers and Vigo County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene, they found the vehicle off the roadway, partially on the shoulder and partially down an embankment. They saw flame and smoke coming from the vehicle.
Authorities were able to get Mack and the children out of the vehicle and extinguish the flames.
After he failed several standard field sobriety tests, state troopers determined Mack was under the influence of a controlled substance. He refused to submit to a certified chemical test and was transported to an area hospital to receive medical clearance.
Mack was then taken to the Vigo County jail. He was initially charged with two counts each of operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a passenger younger than 18 and neglect of a dependent, as well as driving while suspended, criminal mischief and other OWI-related charges.
The two children were turned
over to the Vigo County Department of Child Services and
further investigation will be conducted by their department.
