CARMEL – A 19-year-old Carmel man is facing numerous charges stemming from his alleged attempt to flee police following an auto crash in the heart of downtown Carmel.
Sheriff Brian Hess credited off-duty police officers and Good Samaritans coming to the assistance of a deputy sheriff in capturing Esdras Cardona-Ovalle following the incident.
According to the sheriff, the crash occurred at 11:30 p.m. at Route 52 and Fair Street. Callers to 9-1-1 reported that the driver who rear-ended another vehicle was trying to flee the scene.
Hess said moments later when a deputy arrived he observed Cardona-Ovalle behind the wheel of a 2014 Honda, which had rear-ended another vehicle, revving the engine in an attempt to drive away while witnesses stood nearby in the roadway.
“With the vehicle’s doors locked and Cardona-Ovalle ignoring repeated commands to stop, the deputy breached the driver’s side window to prevent him from fleeing and endangering those on the scene. Cardona Ovalle then climbed out through the passenger side and attempted to flee on foot. An off-duty Putnam County Sheriff’s deputy and an off-duty Carmel Police officer, along with several Good Samaritans at the scene, assisted the deputy in taking Cardona-Ovalle into custody,” said Hess who added: “No one was seriously injured.”
Cardona Ovalle was charged with: Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a Blood Alcohol Content exceeding .18 percent along with Driving While Intoxicated, Resisting Arrest, and Obstructing Governmental Administration.
Several vehicle and traffic law infractions were also issued.
Cardona-Ovalle was arraigned on the charges and was released pending future court hearings.
Sheriff Hess commended those who made the arrest: “Our deputy acted quickly to stop an impaired driver from putting more lives at risk, and he didn’t have to
do it alone. I want to thank the off-duty deputy and the Carmel Police officer who stepped in without hesitation, and the good Samaritans who stepped up to help. Their willingness to assist is a great example of the community looking out for one another in Putnam County.”
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