VANDERBURGH COUNTY, Ind. — A Vanderburgh County man was arrested Thursday evening after authorities say he drove his vehicle into flood waters while under the influence of alcohol.
Deputies from the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a vehicle stranded in high water at the intersection of Allens Lane and Eleventh Avenue. Upon arrival, officers discovered a white Kia Soul submerged in approximately 3 to 5 feet of water, but there was no one inside the vehicle.
As deputies investigated the scene, they later located 42-year-old William Zentmyer lying on the ground nearby. Zentmyer reportedly admitted to owning the vehicle and explained that he had swum to shore after getting the car stuck in the flood waters.
During their interaction with Zentmyer, deputies observed signs of impairment, prompting them to administer a breath test. The results revealed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.134, well above the legal limit for driving.
Sheriff Noah Robinson condemned the behavior, emphasizing the dangers of driving into flooded areas. “Driving into flooded areas is incredibly dangerous and puts not only your life at risk but also the lives of first responders. Behavior like this diverts critical fire department resources. When alcohol is involved, the consequences can quickly escalate,” Robinson said. “We urge everyone to make smart decisions and never drive impaired or attempt to cross high water.”
Zentmyer was subsequently arrested and booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (DUI) and disregarding a traffic control device. Authorities are reminding the public to stay vigilant during adverse weather conditions and never attempt to drive through flooded areas.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of driving under the influence and the importance of making safe decisions, especially in hazardous conditions.
