Witnesses say Muncie man drank 2 pitchers of beer before causing crash that killed his son

MUNCIE, Ind. — More than six months after a Chevy Malibu careened off a ditch and into a tree, killing one of four passengers, a Muncie man is being blamed for being behind the wheel and causing the death of his son.

Michael Wihebrink, 40, was charged on Thursday with one count of causing death when operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Level 4 felony; two counts of causing serious bodily injury when operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Level 5 felony; and four felony counts of criminal recklessness.

According to court documents, the crash occurred on Dec. 4, 2024, shortly before 4 a.m. Delaware County sheriff’s deputies were called to the intersection of South 419 East and East 650 South on report of a single-vehicle crash. It was later learned a Chevy Malibu flew off the roadway and into a wooded ditch, colliding with a tree.

Four occupants were inside the vehicle at the time of the crash, including Wihebrink and his son. Surviving occupants would later identify Wihebrink as the driver, according to court documents.

Wihebrink’s son and another occupant ended up being flown by helicopter to a hospital from the scene of the crash. The other two were transported via ambulance. Wihebrink’s son succumbed to his injuries while being treated at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.

According to court documents, witnesses told police that Wihebrink and the other occupants of the Malibu had been at Big Shots Bar prior to the crash. Wihebrink allegedly drank two pitchers of beer along with a single bottle of beer. One of the survivors told police they questioned his ability to drive prior to leaving the bar shortly before 3 a.m.

Wihebrink allegedly drove his son and the others around the reservoir after leaving the bar. One of the survivors told police the last thing she remembered before the crash was Wihebrink speeding up “super super fast.”

When questioned by investigators, Wihebrink denied being at the bar drinking before the crash. He claimed to have been at home, alone, and said he was called to come pick up his son and the others.

Wihebrink couldn’t clearly tell police where he picked up the others, however. He also claimed his now deceased son was the one who insisted on driving, not himself.

But this story didn’t align with witness accounts of the night, nor did it align with evidence gathered from the car that put Wihebrink behind the wheel. Such as injuries suffered by Wihebrink that police said aligned with sitting in the driver’s seat.

A warrant for Wihebrink’s arrest was issued on Friday. He was arrested three days later.

If convicted of a Level 4 felony, Wiehbrink faces up to 12 years in prison.