By Casey Smith | Indiana Capital Chronicle
For The Tribune
State District 69 Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, drove nearly 3 miles away from a crash scene — with three busted tires — after he allegedly struck a guardrail and drove the wrong way on an interstate entrance ramp last week, according to a new police report.
Lucas was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail in Brownstown after the crash. Police suspect the lawmaker was intoxicated when the incident occurred. Lucas has not yet commented on what happened, however.
State police received a call from a witness just after midnight May 31 about a vehicle that had struck a guardrail and traveled the wrong way on an Interstate 65 ramp near the State Road 11 interchange, according to an Indiana State Police crash report obtained by the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Police said in the crash report, the truck was gone by the time they arrived. They immediately spotted a badly damaged guardrail along the interstate, tire tracks, plastic vehicle debris and a trail of fluid that went north on I-65 before heading south in the wrong direction on the entrance ramp from State Road 11.
What Lucas told police
Shortly after, a Seymour police officer found a 2012 Toyota Tundra with extensive front-end damage and three tires missing parked behind Carpet Gallery in Rockford on State Road 11 north of Seymour. That’s about 2.8 miles south of the crash site.
An officer also found Lucas walking nearby across State Road 11. Lucas initially refused to answer questions, but he later told a state trooper he swerved to miss a deer and lost control of his truck. According to the crash report, Lucas also said he “believed he could make it home, and that is why he left the crash scene and continued to drive for several miles with three flat tires.”
When asked why he parked behind the carpet business, Lucas reportedly told officers he did not want to leak oil in front of the business because he was concerned that could cause the business to lose customers.
State police said Lucas smelled of alcohol. “Clues” from a field sobriety test and “the odor of an alcoholic beverage” coming from Lucas led police to believe he was intoxicated.
Lucas was taken to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour for a blood draw but reported no injuries from the crash.
According to the crash report, the truck had heavy front-end damage to the grill and bumper, no tires on the front driver’s side or rear passenger’s side and the front passenger’s side tire was blown out but still attached to the wheel. The truck’s rims were worn down, too, and grass and dirt debris were stuck to the underside of the trailer hitch.
Investigations underway
ISP’s preliminary investigation showed Lucas was driving south on State Road 11 when he went off of the road and down a large hill and hit the guardrail, which pushed it into the right lane of I-65 north. After that, Lucas allegedly continued driving across all three lanes of I-65 north, striking the median guardrail.
After doing a U-turn and going the wrong way on the entrance ramp, Lucas continued to drive for nearly 3 miles before parking his truck behind the local business, according to the crash report.
In total, the crash caused an estimated $25,000 to $50,000 in damages to Lucas’ vehicle and the guardrails he struck, according to the crash report.
Jackson County Prosecutor Jeff Chalfant said Monday an investigation is still ongoing and no charging decisions have been made yet.
State police said Lucas’ toxicology results are still pending and could take several weeks to get back.
The 58-year-old legislator was booked into the Jackson County Jail at 3:46 a.m. May 31 on preliminary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. Jail records indicate he was released just before 8 a.m. that same morning after posting $705 bond.
Lucas is known for his Second Amendment and cannabis support and repeated controversial social media posts.
GOP Gov. Eric Holcomb emphasized Wednesday it’s up to the General Assembly to decide whether Lucas should continue to serve as a legislator or face other repercussions, separate from any criminal penalties.
District 69 covers portions of Jackson, Bartholomew, Scott and Washington counties.
Lucas was first elected in 2012 and most recently championed House Bill 1177 during the 2023 legislative session. The measure creates a state-funded gun training program for school staff.