A silver sedan spun in reverse across the lawn of the Jennings County Courthouse on Monday afternoon, throwing up clouds of dust and dirt as it carved donuts into the grass of one of Indiana's oldest surviving courthouses. Deputies responded and arrested the driver, identified by authorities as 67-year-old Lorraine Wilkerson, on charges including operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
The Jennings County Sheriff's Office identified Wilkerson and confirmed she was booked on operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and operating with an alcohol concentration equivalent to 0.08% or more, according to WDRB / WAVE News. The sheriff's office separately told NBC Chicago that Wilkerson, listed in that outlet's report as 68, drove her car in circles on the courthouse lawn while allegedly drunk. Deputies responded to the scene and booked the suspect into jail, per a report from The Independent.
Surveillance footage from the courthouse grounds captured the full spectacle on the afternoon of Monday, October 5, showing the silver sedan executing donuts in reverse directly on the lawn, according to local station 95.3 WIKI. The sheriff's office later posted that same video to social media, pairing the clip with a public safety reminder that people who have been drinking should arrange a safe ride home rather than get behind the wheel.
A Courthouse Lawn With Deep Roots
The ground torn up by Monday's donuts isn't just any patch of municipal grass. The Jennings County Courthouse in Vernon was built between 1859 and 1860 at a cost of $26,375 and stands today as a contributing landmark within the Vernon Historic District, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, according to official state marker records on IN.gov.
Vernon itself was platted in 1815 and serves as the Jennings County seat, and its courthouse dates to before the Civil War. The courthouse's history adds an extra layer of scrutiny to any property damage the spinning sedan left behind on the historic grounds.
What Charges Could Look Like Going Forward
A charge for operating with an alcohol concentration equivalent of 0.08% or more is a Class C misdemeanor.
The sedan's donuts tore up the courthouse lawn.
The Jennings County Sheriff's Office paired the footage with a reminder to arrange a safe ride rather than drive after drinking.
