Evansville, IN – A 30-year-old Henderson woman was arrested late Saturday night after authorities discovered her passed out in her car with three children inside. The incident occurred just after 11 p.m. in the parking lot of the Westside Logan’s Roadhouse.
According to the Evansville Police Department (EPD), officers arrived on the scene to find the vehicle’s headlights still illuminated, and attempts to rouse the driver, later identified as Norma Yates, were unsuccessful. Officers knocked on the window to awaken her but received no response.
When they opened the car door, police observed alcohol containers inside the vehicle, and Yates appeared disoriented, struggling to maintain her balance. Due to signs of intoxication, officers conducted a field sobriety test and a subsequent drug evaluation.
The results of the evaluation revealed that Yates had tested positive for an illegal level of a stimulant, rendering her unfit to operate the vehicle safely.
Yates was arrested and transported to the Vanderburgh County Jail. She now faces charges of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Neglect of a Dependent due to the presence of the children in the car during the incident.
The case highlights the serious dangers of impaired driving and the responsibility of individuals to ensure the safety of their dependents at all times. The children were unharmed, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks when drivers engage in reckless behavior.
Authorities continue to investigate the situation.
