NORTH VERNON, Ind. – On Thursday, July 18, at 8:15 PM, Officer Nathan Vogel from the North Vernon Police Department (NVPD) stopped a white Chrysler 300 for speeding on the 800 block of S State St. The driver, Andy L. Edgar, 54, of North Vernon, was identified during the stop. Officer Vogel noticed the smell of alcohol in the car and asked Edgar to step out.
Once out, Edgar put his hands in his pockets and was asked to remove them for officer safety. After initially refusing, he complied when asked again. Edgar refused to take Standardized Field Sobriety Tests but agreed to a portable breath test, which showed a breath alcohol concentration of 0.08. After being read his Miranda Rights, Edgar admitted to drinking several beers before driving.
He was then offered a chemical test, which he refused, stating he would not go back to jail. He then allegedly pulled a pistol from his pocket and ran from Officers Vogel and Chris Allen. During the struggle, Officer Vogel injured his hand while detaining Edgar.
Deputies from the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department arrived and took Edgar to Ascension St. Vincent Jennings Hospital for jail clearance. A search warrant for Edgar’s blood was obtained due to the DUI investigation.
Medical staff treated both Edgar for his injuries and unrelated medical issues and Officer Vogel for his injuries.
Edgar was later taken to the Jennings County Jail and faces the following preliminary charges:
- Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person; A Class A Misdemeanor
- Operating a vehicle while intoxicated; A Class C Misdemeanor
- Criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon; A Level 6 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement Defendant Draws a deadly weapon; A Level 5 Felony
- Intimidation with a deadly weapon; A Level 5 Felony
This is a preliminary investigation. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.