THPD: Fatal hit-and-run suspect told officers he struck a deer

ICN file photo/ not recent scene

​By Lucy Perry
News Writer 
Indiana Central News

A Terre Haute man is facing charges in connection to a fatal hit-and-run crash that recently claimed the life of a local woman, after police say evidence at the scene led to a search of his southside residence.

Gordon J. Vanderbilt, 57, was booked into the Vigo County Jail Aug. 5 at 1 p.m. He is charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death or catastrophic injury, a level 4 felony and criminal recklessness, a level 5 felony.

Vanderbilt/ Vigo County Jail

According to the probable cause affidavit, filed by Det. Kenny Murphy, of the Terre Haute Police Department, a piece of the suspect's car was found, directly linking Vanderbilt to the scene. When talking to the suspect a week later, he reportedly stated he thought he had hit a deer with his car that night.

Police say that it was not an animal he allegedly killed, but, in fact, a woman named Bobbi Jo Stevens, 48.

A passerby discovered the victim lying in the road just after midnight Aug. 1. Stevens was found to have suffered severe injuries to her head and legs. 

Stevens was well-liked in the community. She was a supporter of local musicians and enjoyed attending their live performances. Immediately following news of her death,  several people remarked on social media how she would be remembered for her great smile. She was an attractive and charming person, they said.

However, when emergency crews responded to the scene on city's south side early Sunday morning, they found the mangled woman, barely clinging to life. Stevens was helpless, left stranded in the roadway --- where she was struck down by the car and left for dead that fateful night.

She had road rash "all over," according to the court documents.

Due to the severity of her injuries, Stevens was flown to an Indianapolis hospital. She was in a coma.  Doctors said every bone in her face was broken, including her skull. Stevens also suffered a broken pelvis, broken femur, a severed right ankle, a broken right wrist. She also had extensive internal injuries. 

Investigators searched the area in the darkness for some time. They eventually discovered a windshield wiper arm in the roadway. This, they believe, belonged to a older model Cadillac STS.

The suspect vehicle was tracked to Vanderbilt, following a review of surveillance video at a nearby chemical plant. In fact, The gold-colored Cadillac was observed, in the footage, traveling at a high rate of speed, eastbound on Lockport Road near S. 12th Street at 12:30 a.m.

And,  at that instance, the victim was stuck hard and fast.  She was knocked down senseless. The suspect didn't stop for a second, allegedly speeding through the stop sign at a nearby intersection, and then continuing on, heading southbound.

While Stevens remained on life support, detectives continued to follow leads in the case. After checking on every single Cadillac matching that description and registered in Vigo County, they heard back from all the owners ---except one --- Vanderbilt. 

When they went to his Springhill Drive residence a few days after the hit-and-run crash, they found the suspect in the garage, making repairs to the car. It had sustained significant front-end damage.

Vanderbilt said he had struck a deer. He reportedly informed detectives he was tired behind the wheel while out that night.

The damage detectives noted on the car did indicate an impact consistent with Stevens' injuries.

"There was damage to the front of the car, it was missing the hood, windshield and windshield wipers,"  Murphy states.

"He had a new hood, he had painted, and a new windshield for the car. I asked what was wrong with the car and Gordon said, 'I hit a deer Saturday night.' "

Meanwhile, Vanderbilt remains held in the jail with no bond allowed. He has been appointed a public defender. A hearing is set before Judge Sarah Mullican in Vigo County Superior Court-Div. 3 for Aug. 30. Judge John Roach previously recused himself from the case.
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