Staff Report

Kyle Thomas Michaelson

ETNA GREEN — A Mentone man was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence and causing damage to an Etna Green cemetery.

Kyle Thomas Michaelson, 33, 4996 S. 900W, Mentone, is charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated with an ACE of .15 or more with a passenger under the age of 18 and operating while intoxicated with a prior conviction enhancement, both level 6 felonies; and operating while intoxicated with an ACE of .15 or more and cemetery mischief, both class A misdemeanors.

On Jan. 25, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a report of a loud vehicle driving through a cemetery on CR 300N in Etna Green. The reporting party said they heard a loud vehicle in the cemetery which was unusual since it was after 10 p.m.

The deputy found the suspect vehicle, which had mud and grass around its wheel wells, and spoke with the driver, identified as Michaelson. An adult and child were passengers in the vehicle.

According to court documents, Michaelson said they were paying their respects to a deceased relative and picking up brush around the cemetery. Deputies noticed Michaelson was exhibiting signs of intoxication. Michaelson admitted to consuming three beers and failed several field sobriety tests. A certified chemical test result from Michaelson was 0.17% BrAC.

At the cemetery, deputies noticed burnout tire marks on the pavement, multiple tire tracks through the grass, and multiple grave sites that appeared altered.

The adult passenger in Michaelson’s vehicle denied causing damage to the cemetery, but offered to pay to fix the damage.

Michaelson was previously convicted of operating a vehicle while intoxicated in Marshall County in July 2022.

Michaelson has already been arrested and released on bond. He has an initial hearing at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, in Kosciusko Superior Court Three.