In a recent incident, law enforcement in Evansville apprehended an elderly individual following a multi-vehicle collision that occurred on Tuesday evening. The 63-year-old suspect, Roger L. Spalding, was reportedly driving under the influence and fled the scene of the crash. Police were alerted to the situation around 8:20 p.m. at the intersection of St. Joseph Avenue and Lloyd Expressway. After being identified through license plate information, Spalding was taken into custody at his residence. He faced charges related to intoxicated driving and abandoning the accident site.

The incident began when a red van struck two vehicles waiting at a traffic signal. One of the victims recounted that the driver exited his vehicle repeatedly apologizing but failed to provide any identification or insurance details before fleeing the scene. Another witness managed to capture the license plate number of the fleeing van. This crucial piece of evidence led authorities to trace the vehicle back to a local distribution company, where they confirmed Spalding as the driver.

Upon arriving at Spalding's home, officers took him into custody. During questioning, Spalding admitted to consuming alcohol prior to and after the accident. According to reports, he confessed to having four beers at a nearby establishment before driving and two more upon returning home. A preliminary breath test conducted over two hours later revealed a blood alcohol content level of 0.129, significantly above the legal limit.

The arrest underscores the serious consequences of impaired driving and leaving the scene of an accident. Authorities emphasized the importance of responsible behavior behind the wheel and the potential dangers posed by such actions. Spalding now faces legal repercussions for his conduct, highlighting the need for vigilance and adherence to traffic laws to ensure public safety.