Court docs: Man previously convicted of OWI causing death arrested for striking police vehicle

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A man who was previously convicted of an operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) crash that killed an 18-year-old has been arrested for driving under the influence and colliding with a police vehicle in Marion County.

On May 26, 2025, at 10:40 p.m., Officer Newlin and Officer Coffin, of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), were driving northwest on Shelbyville Road and turning right to go north on Emerson Avenue when a blue Geo Prizm was driving northbound on Emerson Avenue and turning eastbound on to Shelbyville Road, but took the turn on Shelbyville Road too wide and struck the driver-side rear wheel and quarter panel of the Newlin’s police vehicle, causing damage to the vehicle and injuries to the officers.

The Geo continued driving southeast on Shelbyville Road without stopping to exchange information for the accident that had just occurred. Newlin activated his emergency lights and sirens before going after the Geo. The Geo did not stop until Newlin was able to catch up with it as it turned into the neighborhood where the driver, identified as 38-year-old Jordan David Platt, lives. The Geo stopped at the intersection of Wagon Wheel Trail and Brazos Drive. When Newlin and Coffin approached the vehicle, Platt’s head was slumped forwarded, and he said he was sorry, that he messed up, and that he had been drinking.

Officer Howlett arrived and conducted a DUI investigation. Howlett observed that Platt had glass bloodshot eyes, and the scent of alcohol beverages on his breath and person. Howlett recovered a 100 ml bottle of Fireball from Platt’s left cargo pocket that was two-thirds of the way full. Howlett read Platt the instruction for conducting the Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST) for horizontal gaze nystagmus. Platt said that he understood. Officers had to remind Platt to follow the pen with his eyes only, showed all six clues, had vertical gaze nystagmus, and failed the test.

Howell gave Platt instructions for the walk-and-turn SFST using an imaginary line on the sidewalk that was flat, had minimal curve for the area, and was free of holes and debris. Howlett instructed Platt not to start until told to, and Platt stated that he understood the instructions, and he attempted to start once Howlett had finished the instructions, and started prior to Howlett telling him to as Howell finished his demonstration and confirmed that Platt understood. Platt said that he did understand, and he started the test without Howell telling him to start. Platt did not step heel to toe on his seventh step, showing two clues, and failing the test.

Howell gave Platt instructions for the one-leg stand SFST and he stated that he understood. Platt swayed and used both arms to balance eight seconds into the test, showing two clues, and failing the test.

Platt consented to a blood draw. Howlett transported Platt to Eskenazi Hospital for a blood draw. Platt’s blood was drawn and transported to the IMPD property room to be tested at a later date. Newlin and Coffin transported themselves to be medically cleared at Concentra.

Platt was arrested and preliminarily charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated – endangering a person, operating a vehicle while intoxicated – endangering a person with a prior conviction, operating a vehicle while intoxicated – causing death or catastrophic injury, and leaving the scene of an accident involving injury. Platt was transported to the Marion County Community Justice Center.

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