MUNCIE, Ind. — A Muncie man faces multiple felony charges after police said he crashed into a home while high on marijuana leading to his passenger being hospitalized for months and left unable to walk unassisted.
Isaiah M. Gilmer, 19, is charged with causing catastrophic injury while operating a vehicle with a controlled substance in his system, a Level 4 felony; causing catastrophic injury while operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Level 4 felony; and reckless driving, a Class A misdemeanor.
According to court documents, Gilmer was allegedly behind the wheel of a 1997 Mazda Miata MX5 on Oct. 18, 2023, when he flew off the road and collided into a house in the 1100 block of S. Burlington Drive in Muncie.
Police said the Mazda was traveling at speeds greater than 70 miles per hour before slamming into the home. Burlington Avenue is a residential street with a posted speed limit of 30 mph.
Both Gilmer and his passenger were found unresponsive inside the vehicle when first responders arrived at the scene.
The passenger ended up being flown to Indianapolis where he spent more than three months at Riley Hospital. According to court documents, the passenger suffered a severe brain injury and paralysis that left him “unable to walk unassisted, talk and care for himself.”
A blood draw of Gilmer revealed that he had marijuana in his system at the time of the crash, court documents detail.
The home struck by Gilmer’s Maza suffered significant damage to the foundation and structure, police reported.
If convicted of a Level 4 felony, Gilmer could face between two and 12 years in prison.
Court records show a warrant for Gilmer’s arrest was issued on Feb. 16.
