Taswell, Ind. – A single-vehicle crash near Taswell Saturday night ended with a Tell City man facing multiple charges after Indiana State Police say he showed signs of impairment and was found with suspected marijuana.
According to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, troopers responded to the wreck but initially did not locate the driver. Deputies later found 53-year-old Joseph Smith at his home, where officers reported he displayed visible signs of intoxication. Troopers also recovered suspected marijuana at the scene.
Smith was transported by ambulance to Deaconess Memorial Medical Center in Jasper for treatment from crash-related injuries. Once released, police say he was booked into the Crawford County Jail on several charges, including operating while intoxicated, possession of marijuana, and leaving the scene of a property damage crash. He was also wanted in Orange County for a prior OWI conviction within the past seven years.
State police identified the arresting officers as Trooper Noah Ewing and Trooper Nathan Teusch, with assistance from the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office. Smith remains held in the county jail on bond.
Authorities have not released further details but say additional updates could follow as the case moves forward.
