JENNINGS COUNTY — Jennings County Sheriff deputies arrested a North Vernon man while investigating a vehicle that fled the scene of a property-damage accident in North Vernon at 8:28 a.m. Friday.
As deputies responded, a call came in reporting a motor vehicle crash in Geneva Township, according to investigators. The caller informed emergency services that the individual involved had exited the vehicle and escaped on foot through the nearby woods. The vehicle then became engulfed in flames.
Sheriff Kenny Freeman and Chief Deputy Cody Low located the male suspect a short distance from the crash site and apprehended him without resistance. The suspect has been identified as Jesus Antonio-Ruiz Gonzalez, 23, from North Vernon.
Upon questioning, it was determined that Gonzalez was heavily intoxicated and did not possess a valid driver’s license. Further investigation confirmed that the vehicle involved was indeed the same one that had fled the earlier accident scene.
Following his arrest, Gonzalez was transported by law enforcement to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries and jail clearance. Once medically cleared, he was transferred to the Jennings County Jail, where he is currently being held on a bond of $905.
Investigating Deputy: Kyle Lee
Assisting: Deputy Morgan Gabbard
