Indianapolis, IN – Due to yesterday’s bridge strike on I-465 northbound at Rockville Road the interstate was required to be closed for emergency repairs. Yesterday afternoon INDOT set up a traffic pattern closing the northbound lanes of I-465 at the I-70 interchange. The temporary traffic patterns directed traffic to exit at I-70 with the use of orange reflective construction barrels, large utility trucks, message boards, road signs and flashing signs. However, all the emergency equipment was not enough to deter two alleged drunk drivers, who drove around the barrels and trucks overnight in separate incidents to enter the restricted area of I-465.
The first incident occurred when 31 year old Jeremiah Colby of Indianapolis allegedly drove around the barricades just after 10:30 last night. After entering the closed area of I-465, Colby continued driving north until striking the rear end of an INDOT utility truck. During the course of the investigation, Trooper Cameron Bottema determined Colby was intoxicated. Colby was transported by police to Eskenazi Hospital for a certified blood test to check intoxication levels, the results of that test are not yet available. Colby was later transported to the Marion County Adult Processing Center and booked on probable cause of two felony counts of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and a misdemeanor count of Reckless Driving in a Construction Zone.
The second incident occurred this morning around 2:00 in the same location. 33 year old Jason Cookerly allegedly drove around the road closure barricades into the restricted area of I-465 northbound north of I-70. He was pulled over by Trooper Cameron Bottema and a subsequent investigation led Bottema to arrest Cookerly on the probably cause of Operating While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving in a Construction Zone, Possession of Marijuana and Disorderly Conduct.
