TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA — A Texas man was arrested Friday night after Indiana State Police pulled over his speeding semi truck on Interstate 70 and discovered a loaded handgun, marijuana, and synthetic urine inside the vehicle, while the driver also showed signs of impairment.

^{Photo credit: Indiana State Police}

At approximately 7:10 p.m. on March 6, 2026, Trooper William Clark was patrolling I-70 near the seven-mile marker, close to the U.S. 41 exit in Terre Haute, when he clocked a semi tractor-trailer traveling 80 mph in a posted 60 mph zone using lidar. Trooper Clark conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Alex Brown, 33, of Killeen, Texas. Suspicious activity was immediately detected, prompting Clark to contact the West Terre Haute Police Department, whose K-9 conducted a free-air sniff of the vehicle. The dog's alert gave officers probable cause to search the truck, where Trooper Clark located marijuana, synthetic urine, and a loaded handgun.

Further investigation revealed that Brown was displaying signs of impairment. He refused to submit to both a field sobriety test and a certified chemical test. Brown was arrested and booked into the Vigo County Jail, where he is currently being held on a $35,000 bond.

Brown faces the following charges: possession of a weapon by a serious violent felon (Felony 4), possession of synthetic urine (Class B misdemeanor), possession of marijuana (Class B misdemeanor), and operating a vehicle while intoxicated (Class C misdemeanor).

Assisting at the scene were Trooper Daniel VanDuyn of the Putnamville State Police Post, Officer Carl Wassberg of the West Terre Haute Police Department, and Peffley and Hinshaw Towing Service.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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