NORTH VERNON, Ind. — A 67-year-old woman was arrested after authorities say she tore up the Jennings County Courthouse lawn by doing donuts in a silver sedan while intoxicated, footage released by the sheriff’s office shows.
Lorraine Wilkerson, of North Vernon, was taken into custody Monday afternoon, Oct. 5, and booked into the Jennings County Jail on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent of 0.08 or more, both Class C misdemeanors, the Madison Courier reported. The New York Post, citing local authorities, said she faced additional charges and was held on a $950 bond. No injuries were reported.
Surveillance video posted by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office shows the sedan circling the lawn in repeated loops, kicking up clouds of dust and dirt as it swings around trees, light posts and a bench. The car leaves deep skid marks across the grass and, according to accounts of the footage, plows into a sign before the run ends.
The sheriff’s office used the clip as a public warning.
“If you’ve had a few too many margaritas with dinner, please don’t get behind the wheel, and definitely don’t do donuts on the courthouse lawn,” the department wrote in a Facebook post. “Yesterday afternoon, a [67]-year-old woman was arrested for Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated, along with numerous other charges, following an incident at the courthouse. We encourage everyone to enjoy themselves responsibly and always make arrangements for a safe ride home if you’ve been drinking.”
Some outlets citing the sheriff’s office described the driver as 68. The Madison Courier and the New York Post identified her as 67-year-old Lorraine Wilkerson of North Vernon.
The courthouse sits in the county seat of Vernon, in southeastern Indiana. Officials said the lawn was left scarred by the tire tracks. The case remains pending in local court.
A note on comments: Our advertisers enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy on racism, hate speech, and threats of violence. Any comment that crosses that line will be removed and the account permanently banned — no warnings. Debate hard, but keep it civil.
A note on comments: Our advertisers enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy on racism, hate speech, and threats of violence. Any comment that crosses that line will be removed and the account permanently banned — no warnings. Debate hard, but keep it civil.