Complaint about wrecked truck leads to DUI arrest

Michael Lawson was arrested for DUI and other offenses on Dec. 28.

A complaint about a wrecked truck in a ditch has resulted in the arrest of two Whitley County residents.

About 6:50 p.m. on Dec. 28, Whitley County E911 received a complaint that a white Ford pickup truck had wrecked into a ditch along Lot Mud Creek Road.

While Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy James Tabor was responding, the truck exited the ditch and was reportedly traveling in the direction of Doc Siler Road.

While on Doc Siler Road, Tabor spotted a white Ford pickup wrecked into a ditch, and made contact with the driver, who showed signs of intoxication. The driver provided a false name and was later determined to be Michael R. Lawson, according to a sheriff’s department release.

Tabor arrested Lawson, 26, of Lot Mud Creek Road, and charged him with driving while under the influence, tampering with physical evidence, giving an officer a false name, driving on expired tags, failure to maintain insurance and second and third-degree possession of a controlled substance. Tabor also served Lawson with an outstanding bench warrant.

In addition, Tabor arrested Ashley M. Douglas, 24, of Corbin, a passenger in the truck, and charged her with public intoxication, second and third-degree possession of a controlled substance and tampering with physical evidence.

Both were lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center where they are being held in lieu of $10,000 cash bonds.

Lawson and Douglas have preliminary hearings in their cases scheduled for Jan. 4 in Whitley District Court.