Drunk driving crash seriously injures passenger

A passenger in a crash involving drugs and alcohol suffered serious injuries and the driver is facing multiple charges.

Saturday at about 1:37 a.m., Jasper Police Department and Memorial Hospital Ambulance Services were dispatched to the report of a single-vehicle crash near 31 South Clay Street. When they arrived, they found the registered owner of the vehicle, William C. Laswell, 28, of Engish, standing outside of the car which had crashed into a tree.

Upon investigation, officers discovered Laswell was the driver of the vehicle at the time of the crash. Laswell showed signs of intoxication and was transferred to Memorial Hospital for testing. He tested 0.19 on a chemical test and tested positive for methamphetamine and THC.

The passenger, Aaron Ziegler of Dubois, was transported to Memorial Hospital for head and spine injuries and later transported to Deaconess Hospital.

Laswell was charged with preliminary counts of Class C misdemeanor for operating while intoxicated, Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated causing endangerment, and Level 6 felony operating while intoxicated resulting in serious bodily injury of another person.

Laswell was booked into the Dubois County Security Center.

Laswell’s 2015 Nissan Altima was considered a total loss.