Driver arrested after ignoring officer at accident scene, fleeing

Monday, November 17, 2025 at 2:25 PM

By Staff report

A passerby at an accident scene was arrested by law enforcement when he disregarded officers controlling traffic and tried to flee.

Parke County deputies were investigating a motor vehicle accident on US 41, south of Lyford. The Montezuma Police Department was helping divert traffic at the scene when the driver of a vehicle disregarded the officer’s directions. The male driver fled when confronted, traveling at a high rate of speed, south on US 41 and into a field, south of CR 940 S.

The driver abandoned the vehicle in the field and fled on foot. Just before 9 p.m., the Parke County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team spotted the suspect lying in a drainage ditch. Charles Keller Jr., 44, of Mecca, was found in possession of a firearm, methamphetamine and paraphernalia. Keller was arrested for Resisting Law Enforcement, Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Paraphernalia. He is being held without bond.

A female passenger was released from the scene. Assisting in the arrest were officers from the Indiana State Police, Clinton Police Department and Rockville Police Department.