ELKHART, Ind. -- An Elkhart man is facing charges for allegedly driving drunk and injuring a passenger.

20-year-old Carson Bontrager is charged with OWI Prior, Leaving the scene of an SBI crash, and Minor consumption. Investigators say this happened Sunday, June 7, just after 1 a.m. A witness told police a black Mustang was driving recklessly and over the speed limit on Riverside Drive. The car then allegedly crashed into a guardrail as Bontrager attempted to turn onto the Sherman Street bridge.

The witness told police that Bontrager got out of the car, checked on the passenger, and then drove off to the intersection of Clyde and Sherman Streets away from the scene. The passenger was later identified as Daniel Jaramillo. The witness called 911 after he says he saw Jaramillo going in and out of consciousness on the ground.

Officers found multiple signs of potential drunk driving upon arrival. During a pat down, an officer asked Bontrager to tell him where his wallet is; he replied that it was in his pocket. When the officer reached into his pocket, he did not find a wallet, but instead three unopened Fireball shooters. Bontrager told officers he had one drink about an hour before the crash. He also claimed that Jaramillo intentionally left the car while it was moving. Bontrager said he did not know why he would have done that. He also claimed damage to the side of his car was caused by him hitting a mailbox earlier in the night.

A search warrant was granted to test Bontrager's blood for alcohol. As of the afternoon of June 10, the results of the blood test have not been released. Neither Jaramillo's injuries nor the extent of them are known at this time. 

Investigators say Bontrager had a previous OWI conviction in November 2025.