SULLIVAN CO. — A dramatic turn of events unfolded Saturday morning when hunters reported their truck stolen in Sullivan County. The incident began around 8:30 a.m. near the intersection of County Road 700 South and County Road 600 East.
According to the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, hunters informed a responding deputy that their vehicle had been taken from a nearby field. While the deputy gathered information, the hunters spotted their stolen truck speeding away.
The deputy pursued the vehicle, discovering it crashed into a bridge half a mile away. The driver, identified as Steven McIntyre, was airlifted to an Evansville hospital and is currently in critical condition.
While waiting for the medical helicopter to arrive, authorities received another report about a man walking toward the crash site from the area where the truck was stolen. Officers found Kile Jones, who had an outstanding warrant from Indianapolis. As police attempted to arrest him, he resisted. In an unexpected turn, a tow truck driver at the scene jumped out to assist law enforcement in subduing Jones.
During the investigation, officers learned that two additional men may have been involved but fled the scene before police arrived. An acquaintance of McIntyre revealed that the group had allegedly planned to break into a nearby home, making multiple trips into the driveway, including once in the stolen truck. They reportedly left the area after being confronted by the homeowner.
Both Jones and McIntyre are facing serious charges. While McIntyre’s booking information has not yet been released, Jones has been charged with:
- Battery Against a Public Safety Official
- Possession of Stolen Property
- Theft (valued between $750 and $50,000)
- Auto Theft
- Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle
- Assisting a Criminal
- Resisting Law Enforcement
- Disorderly Conduct
- Intimidation
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent unless convicted through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
