Evansville, IN — A man is facing felony charges after driving his vehicle off a parking garage and crashing through the roof of Bally’s Casino on Monday morning. The incident, which caused extensive damage to the building, has led to two level six felony charges being filed against 37-year-old Jeremiah Oldham.
Oldham has been charged with Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon and Criminal Mischief for the significant damage caused, which is estimated to exceed $50,000. According to police, the crash occurred just above the casino’s conference center, sending debris and vehicle parts onto the roof below.
Emergency crews responded promptly to the scene, and Oldham was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No other individuals were involved or injured in the crash.
Police reports reveal that Oldham has a documented history of mental health issues, including a diagnosis of psychosis. His probation officer informed authorities that Oldham had been experiencing a mental health episode prior to the incident. In fact, over the weekend, Oldham reportedly told his probation officer that people were attempting to harm him, suggesting he was suffering from a psychotic episode. Despite these claims, he did not seek medical attention or contact law enforcement.
Court records also show that Oldham had been arrested earlier in the weekend for failing to possess identification as a sex offender. He was released on bond, with his initial court hearing scheduled for Monday afternoon, just hours before the crash.
Following the incident, Oldham was taken to the hospital for treatment and has not been booked back into jail. His bond has been set at $10,000 in connection with the new charges.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident, and further details are expected as the case develops.
