Bronco takes out mailbox, parked car before driver arrested for drunk driving

Jasper police charged a Huntingburg man after he was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run crash and drunken driving Thanksgiving day.

Officers responded to the report of a white Ford Bronco that struck a mailbox on Skyview Drive and left the scene at about 4:57 p.m. Officers located the Bronco at the Sternberg’s parking lot on U.S. 231 a short time later. They saw the Bronco leave the parking lot heading southbound on U.S. 231. When they attempted to stop the SUV, police say the driver didn’t stop and attempted to flee.

A short pursuit ensued until the Bronco crashed into a parked car in the area of McCrillus and Seventh Street. The driver, Jonathan Eckstein, 56, of Main Street, then left the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot however he was taken into custody in a yard in the area.

Eckstein was taken to Memorial Hospital for medical clearance and a blood draw which determined his blood alcohol content was .15 percent.

He was charged with Level 6 felony counts of operating while intoxicated and resisting law enforcement as well as misdemeanor counts of leaving the scene of a crash, criminal recklessness and reckless driving.

Police booked Eckstein into the Dubois County Security Center.

The Dubois County Sheriff’s Department and a Sternberg’s wrecker assisted with the incident.