UPDATE Bennett granted special driving privileges

UPDATED 030824

Brazil’s Fire Chief has been granted Specialized Driving Privileges by the court on Thursday, March 7.

In an agreed resolution in Clay Superior Court, Bennett’s Friday 9 a.m. court appearance was canceled, and a request for special driving privileges through Indiana’s Driver Safety Program at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles was issued.

Indiana Code allows courts to grant driving privileges with certain restrictions, such as maintaining vehicle insurance, Carrying a copy of the court records showing proof of the privileges, and Carrying a valid state-issued identification card or license.

Bennett cannot operate any personal or other vehicles from 10 p.m.-6 a.m.

However, Bennett is permitted to drive work vehicles without a time restriction while at work, but that is up to the Brazil Fire Department.

Bennett is scheduled to appear in court for a bench trial in July.

THE INCIDENT Sunday, January 7; 8 p.m.

Clay County 911 Emergency Dispatch received a report of a vehicle accident near the intersection of Lambert and Illinois streets in Brazil. Brazil Police Department officers were dispatched to the scene, finding a vehicle had struck a parked car, pushing it away from the initial scene, and the male driver walked away.

When BPD determined that Bennett, who initially avoided officers, was involved, they requested the Clay County Sheriff’s Department take over the investigation from BPD.

Bennett, 49, who had a blood alcohol content(BAC) of .143, was initially charged with a preliminary misdemeanor charge of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.

BAC UNDERSTANDING

BAC is a reading of the amount of alcohol in the blood. A BAC of 0 is sober.

Reaching a BAC of .40 could be fatal.

BAC 0.08%: INDIANA’S LEGAL LIMIT - At this percentage, you may have reduced muscle coordination, find it more difficult to detect danger and have impaired judgment and reasoning.

FORMAL CHARGES

After the investigation by the CCSD, Bennett was formally charged with;

A Misdemeanor Operating a vehicle while intoxicated Endangering a Person

B Misdemeanor Leaving the Scene of an Accident- Driver fails to Stop at the scene immediately

C Misdemeanor Operating a Vehicle with an Alcohol Concentration Equivalent to at Least .08 but less than .15.

NOTE: The individual named in this matter is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

UPDATED 01262024

According to official court documents, formal charges were recently filed for John Jacob Bennett on in Clay Superior Court for his OVWI arrest on Jan. 7 involving an accident.

A motion was filed to waive the initial hearing, and a bench trial was scheduled in July.

Bennett was charged with;

A Misdemeanor Operating a vehicle while intoxicated Endangering a Person

B Misdemeanor Leaving the Scene of an Accident- Driver fails to Stop at the scene immediately

C Misdemeanor Operating a Vehicle with an Alcohol Concentration Equivalent to at Least .08 but less than .15.

NOTE: The Individual named in this matter are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

UPDATED - 01092024 - Times Staff Report

Details are limited due to an ongoing investigation into the arrest of Brazil Fire Chief John “Jake” Bennett during the evening hours of Sunday, Jan. 7.

Around 8 p.m., Clay County 911 Emergency Dispatch received a report of a vehicle accident located near the intersection of Lambert and Illinois streets in Brazil.

Brazil Police Department officers were dispatched to the scene, finding a vehicle had struck a parked vehicle, and the male driver walked east away from the scene.

When it was determined that Bennett was involved, the Clay County Sheriff's Office was requested to take over the investigation from BPD.

Bennett, 49 of Brazil, Indiana, was remanded to the Clay County Jail on a C misdemeanor charge of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.

A report has been forwarded to the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office for review and possible additional charging information.

Further details are not available at this time due to the ongoing investigation.

NOTE: Individuals named in this matter are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Original story - 0108024

The Brazil Times has confirmed the arrest of Brazil Fire Chief John “Jake” Bennett for misdemeanor charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He was remanded to the Clay County Jail staff and subsequently bonded out early Monday morning.

Bennett is scheduled to appear in court for formal charging on January 24.

NOTE: The Individuals named in this matter are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.