On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at approximately 6:28 pm, Decatur County Dispatch received several calls regarding a possibly intoxicated driver, who was operating a vehicle recklessly. One caller advised that numerous road signs had been driven over and the vehicle now appeared to be on fire.
Decatur County Sheriff’s Deputies located the vehicle near the intersection of County Road 650 W. and US Highway 421, near St. Omer. Upon arrival, deputies found the vehicle fully engulfed in flames. The driver was located in the bed of a pickup truck that
had stopped to render assistance.
As deputies approached the male, later identified as Jonathon Gahwiller, he appeared to be extremely intoxicated. Gahwiller exited the bed of the pickup truck and became extremely combative. Deputies took Gahwiller to the ground, at which time he kicked adeputy.
Due to Gahwiller’s aggressive behavior, an officer with the Greenburg Police Dept.arrived on scene to assist. While officers were attempting to gain control of Gahwiller, he kicked the officer in the chin.
It was later determined that the vehicle that had caught fire belonged to Gahwiller.
Gahwiller was arrested and charged as follows:
Battery on a Public Official, Level 5 Felony
Battery on a Public Official, Level 6 Felony
Operating While Intoxicated/Prior, Level 6 Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
Criminal Mischief, Class B Misdemeanor
Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident, Class B Misdemeanor
601 S. Ireland St. Greensburg, IN 47240
Phone: 812-663-8125 Fax: 812-663-6887In addition to the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department, Greensburg Police Department,
and Decatur County Dispatch, the following agencies and businesses assisted at the
scene:
Decatur County EMS
St. Paul Volunteer Fire Department
Adams Volunteer Fire Department
Platinum Wrecker Service.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
