Staff Report

Devin Richard Gast

WINONA LAKE — A Culver man was recently arrested for allegedly driving a vehicle while under the influence, resulting in serious injury to a woman.

Devin Richard Gast, 36, 20144 Peach Road, Culver, is charged with causing serious bodily injury when operating a vehicle with an ACE of 0.08 or more and resisting law enforcement causing serious bodily injury, both level 5 felonies.

On June 3, 2024, a Winona Lake Police officer was patrolling Pierceton Road when he noticed a Chevrolet Silverado traveling 62 mph in a 40-mph speed zone. The officer attempted to pull the vehicle over.

According to court documents, the Silverado’s driver disregarded the officer, passing vehicles, continuing to speed, and driving left of center. While entering the intersection of Wooster Road and CR 250S, the Silverado hit the passenger’s side of a Chevrolet Malibu.

The collision caused the Mailbu to spin 270 degrees, pushing it about 100 feet into a stopped Ford Edge. Meanwhile, the Silverado spun 90 degrees and nearly rolled when it hit a nearby concrete block retaining wall.

The officer approached the Silverado with his duty weapon drawn. The Silverado’s driver, identified as Gast, complied and showed the officer his hands. When asked about the accident, Gast said he was trying to find a way to go to jail.

Gast sustained a head injury, but also appeared to be impaired. He told the officer he just had a few drinks.

A certified chemical test showed Gast had 0.12 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of his blood at the time of the accident. A hospital toxicology report also showed Gast had amphetamine and cannabinoids in his system.

The Malibu’s driver sustained a broken sternum and broken bone in her back. She was taken to Parkview Trauma Center in Fort Wayne for treatment.

Gast was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on Jan. 26, 2025. He has an initial hearing at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, in Kosciusko Superior Court Three.