Thursday night, February 28, at approximately 11:07 p.m., Trooper Widner was patrolling I-69 near SR 57 when he observed a vehicle traveling southbound at approximately 45 mph in a 70 mph zone. The driver of the vehicle also drove over the white fog line on two different occasions. Trooper Widner stopped the vehicle on I-69 at the 13 mm. The driver identified himself as Marion L. Young, 20, of Vincennes. Further investigation revealed Young had never received a valid driver’s license. The front seat passenger and owner of the vehicle was identified as William Pittman, 29, of Vincennes.
Trooper Widner searched the driver’s door area and found approximately one gram of synthetic marijuana and a smoking device with burnt residue. Widner located a lockbox in the backseat containing a loaded .22 caliber pistol, ammunition, a small amount of meth, a glass smoking device containing meth residue and a plastic bag containing approximately 6 grams of marijuana. Pittman also had over $1,300 in cash, which was seized. During the traffic stop it was determined that Pittman had been driving the vehicle until they obtained gas in Elberfeld. Pittman was arrested, placed in Trooper Widner's patrol car and transported to the Vanderburgh County Jail. Young was cited and released. A passenger who had a valid driver’s license took possession of the vehicle.
When Widner arrived at the jail he heard his seat belt alarm ding and noticed Pittman’s hand on the door handle. Somehow Pittman had escaped from his handcuffs and was attempting to get out of the patrol car. Widner grabbed Pittman with both hands, but his vehicle was still in drive and his foot was on the brake. Pittman was able to escape from the patrol car and fled toward the parking lot. Two Evansville Police Officers were nearby and ran to assist. Trooper Widner and the Evansville Police Officers found Pittman hiding under a van, but he jumped up and started to run again. Pittman was tased and taken into custody again without further incident. Pittman is currently being held without bond.