Motorist Charged After Vehicle Driven Off Casino Garage, History of Emotional Illness Reported

Posted on: December 1, 2024, 12:20h. 

Last updated on: December 1, 2024, 12:20h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

A man is facing criminal recklessness and criminal mischief counts after he allegedly drove a vehicle off of the Bally’s Evansville Casino & Hotel parking garage last week in Indiana.

The suspect, Jeremiah Oldham, was taken to a hospital for treatment following last Monday’s crash.

He had driven to the seventh floor of the garage. He then allegedly pushed a concrete barrier with his vehicle and drove through a wall in a restricted area of the garage, according to Indiana TV station WEHT.

The vehicle went airborne and landed on the roof of the casino’s Executive Conference Center. It came to rest upside down inside an atrium near elevators.

Police said his vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed in the garage.

His injuries weren’t believed to be life-threatening.

Previously, Oldham had been arrested for failing to possess identification as a sex offender, according to Indiana TV station WEVV.

Oldham was convicted for possession of child pornography in 2011 in Kentucky, according to the Evansville Courier & Press news outlet. He was sentenced to 78 months in prison. Oldham was placed on probation.

Oldham has a long history of mental health issues and has been diagnosed with psychosis,” WEVV reported, citing a recent probation report.

Skipped Medication

Last month, Oldham skipped doses of a medication, the report added. He had complained people were trying to kill him. In addition, he said he distrusted mental health professionals who were treating him, according to WEVV.

He was encouraged to go to a hospital, but Oldham failed to do so, Jo Hillgorth, a federal probation officer, reported.

Instead, Oldham wanted weapons to protect himself, but was told he couldn’t have them because he was on probation. But he had knives and a stun gun during a November 8 search, authorities said.

Oldham’s history of noncompliance with medication, coupled with his actions in driving off the top of the Bally’s parking garage, presented a substantial risk … [to] the staff and patrons at the casino,” according to a court document.

Damage to Buildings

The damage to the casino complex following the crash will cost over $50K to repair.

Local media also reported the incident resulted in a “huge leak/water flowing.” The water was quickly shut off.

Evansville Police Department officers were on the scene quickly after the incident and evacuated the garage and the impacted part of the building.

The casino and garage were reopened following the investigation.

No one else was injured. The vehicle was removed from the building within nine hours, according to the Evansville Fire Department.

Traffic in the immediate area was detoured temporarily.