Gabriel Wayne Taylor, 31, and one child injured in suspected OWI crash on County Road 43 near Auburn, Indiana

Single-Vehicle DUI Crash Injures Man and Child on County Road 43 in DeKalb County, Indiana

A suspected drunk driving incident on Tuesday evening resulted in injuries to a 31-year-old Butler man and his 10-year-old passenger when their 2018 Dodge Ram crashed on County Road 43 in DeKalb County. The incident occurred around 9:46 p.m. in the 3800 block of C.R. 43, prompting response from the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office. The vehicle initially veered off the west side of the roadway, striking a power pole and bushes before crossing through a ditch. After briefly returning to the road, the truck departed again on the east side, ultimately colliding with a culvert on the passenger side. The driver sustained head, face, and back injuries, including a bloody nose, while the young girl suffered mouth and chin injuries with oral bleeding. Auburn police took the driver into custody for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) investigation.

Location and Infrastructure County Road 43 in DeKalb County serves as a rural connector route in northeastern Indiana, located near Auburn. This section of roadway, particularly the 3800 block, features typical rural road characteristics including drainage culverts and utility poles near the shoulder. The area's infrastructure includes residential properties with driveways and yards adjacent to the roadway. The road's rural nature, combined with limited lighting during evening hours, requires heightened attention to safety, especially when navigating curves and managing speed.

Legal Rights and Considerations Indiana's OWI laws carry severe penalties, particularly when minors are present in the vehicle. Victims of drunk driving accidents may be entitled to both compensatory and punitive damages under Indiana law. The state's statute of limitations generally allows two years from the accident date to file personal injury claims. Insurance claims may cover medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Child passengers involved in DUI accidents may have additional legal protections and rights to compensation. A blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher constitutes legal intoxication in Indiana. An experienced Auburn OWI accident lawyer will handle all aspects of the personal injury claim.

Related Resources:

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• DeKalb County Sheriff's Office: Emergency Response
• Auburn Police Department: DUI Enforcement
• Indiana Department of Transportation: Traffic Safety Division
• DeKalb County Victim Services
• Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles: OWI Information
• MADD Indiana Chapter: Victim Support Services