On March 29, 2025, at 10:15 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of an accident with injuries near the intersection of State Road 64 and State Road 65 north of Owensville. Upon arriving Deputies opened an accident investigation where during the course of the investigation Deputy Eric Powell detected clues that the driver of one of the vehicles may be under the influence of an unknown intoxicant. At that point Deputy Powell began a roadside OWI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation he placed that driver 32 year old Lauren Smith of Mount Carmel into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the jail Ms. Smith was charged with Possession of Methamphetamines, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of a Schedule Drug, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.
Deputies on scene determined that Ms. Smith’s Gray 2019 Jeep crossed the center of the roadway while traveling eastbound on State Road 64 and struck a trailer being pulled by pickup truck that was traveling westbound.
Assisting Deputy Powell in his investigation were Deputies Michael Bates and U.B. Smith.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
