Hamilton County Sheriff Deputy Kevin Crask has made 96 arrests this year for operating while intoxicated. For his efforts in keeping the streets of the county safe and getting drunken drivers behind bars, Crask was recently honored by the local Mothers Against Drunk Drivers chapter.
“He is just outstanding at spotting people who are possibly under the influence,” said Pam Kelshaw, local MADD chapter president.
Kelshaw, who lost a daughter and a nephew in separate crashes caused by impaired drivers, expressed her gratitude for all law enforcement officers who work to keep drunk and impaired drivers off the streets, but was especially impressed by Crask’s commitment after riding with him for a shift earlier this year.
“My family and MADD Indiana would like to recognize the outstanding work of Deputy Crask and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office for all their efforts on getting impaired drivers off the road,” Kelshaw said.
Crask said that one reason he pursues impaired drivers is so that other families do not have to experience the tragic loss that Kelshaw has had to undergo.
“Knowing this deputy and the whole Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office are trying to keep the roads safe so others don’t have to go through what we went through means the world to us,” Kelshaw said. “It is such an honor to see the work and determination of Deputy Crask and the sheriff’s office.”
Sheriff Bowen said Crask came to the HCSO two years ago from the Cicero Police Dept. and he is a late shift officer.
“He is very aggressive in enforcement of traffic and drinking and driving offenses,” Bowen said. “We applaud his efforts in diligently getting out and apprehending drinking and driving offenders in Hamilton County and protecting our citizens and keeping our roadways safe.”
As of Dec. 3, Hamilton County Sheriff deputies have nearly doubled the number of drunken driving arrests from 2013. Kelshaw said there have been 286 arrests to date this year compared to 151 last year.
“During the holiday season, please remember to use alcohol responsibly and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” HCSO Spokesman Deputy Bryant Orem said. “In 2013, almost 60 percent of fatal and serious injury vehicle crashes were directly responsible to impaired driving. Extra patrols will be in effect to deter and arrest impaired driving.”
