I-74 Wrong-Way Driver Sentenced

The case stemmed from an August 17, 2025, incident on Interstate 74 in Dearborn County.

Erin Dowers. Photo provided.

(Dearborn County, Ind.) - Dearborn and Ohio Counties Prosecutor Lynn Deddens announced that Erin Dowers was sentenced today following her jury conviction on April 28, 2026, in Dearborn Superior Court No. 1.

Dowers was convicted of Criminal Recklessness Committed with a Deadly Weapon (Level 6 Felony), Operating While Intoxicated (Class A Misdemeanor) and Operating a Vehicle with an Alcohol Concentration Equivalent of .15 or More (Class A Misdemeanor).

The case stemmed from an August 17, 2025, incident on Interstate 74. 

According to evidence presented at trial, local law enforcement officers responded during the early morning hours to multiple reports of a wrong-way driver traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-74. 

As troopers responded, they were driving at high speeds in darkness while attempting to determine the location and speed of the wrong-way vehicle. Officers had no way of knowing how fast Dowers was traveling or when they might suddenly encounter her head-on in the eastbound lanes of the interstate. Despite the extreme danger to themselves, troopers continued their efforts to intercept the vehicle in order to protect the public from what could have become a catastrophic head-on collision.

Dowers’ vehicle was ultimately located traveling the wrong direction near the 161-mile marker. In order to stop the ongoing threat to the public, a Trooper used their police vehicle to disable Dowers’ vehicle before a collision with another motorist could occur. Officers then observed clear signs of impairment during their investigation.

At sentencing, the court imposed a sentence of 910 days with 365 days suspended on Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon. The court vacated the conviction for OWI Endangering to avoid double jeopardy issues but did sentence on the BAC of .15 or higher. She received a sentence of 365 days, with no time suspended. These sentences are to run concurrently, meaning that the Defendant will serve 545 days (or 272 days with good time credit). Additionally, Dowers was ordered to probation for a period of 365 days, complete 40 hours of community service and her driving privileges are suspended for one year.

Prosecutor Lynn Deddens stated:

“This case highlights the devastating danger impaired driving creates for everyone on our roadways. The actions of the responding troopers that morning likely prevented a tragedy. These officers willingly placed themselves in harm’s way, in darkness and under extremely dangerous conditions, to stop a wrong-way driver before innocent lives were lost. Their professionalism, courage, and quick decision-making protected not only the motoring public, but potentially each other as well. We are fortunate to have law enforcement officers willing to face that kind of danger in service to our communities.”