Elkhart Mayor's Son Arrested for OWI at McDonald's

Christian Roberson, son of Mayor Rob Roberson, found asleep in drive-thru with blood alcohol over twice legal limit

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Christian Roberson, the son of Elkhart, Indiana Mayor Rob Roberson, was arrested on an operating while intoxicated (OWI) charge after police found him asleep in a McDonald's drive-thru lane with his car in drive. A breathalyzer test indicated Roberson's blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit.

Why it matters

The arrest of a mayor's family member for drunk driving raises questions about accountability and the public's trust in elected officials, especially when the offender has prior OWI convictions.

The details

According to investigators, Roberson was found asleep in the McDonald's drive-thru with his car still in drive. A breathalyzer test showed his blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit. Roberson was released on $25,000 bond, an elevated amount due to his multiple prior OWI convictions.

  • The incident occurred on March 5, 2026.

The players

Christian Roberson

The son of Elkhart Mayor Rob Roberson who was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Rob Roberson

The mayor of Elkhart, Indiana and the father of Christian Roberson.

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What they’re saying

“We love and will support him unconditionally through this difficult time, but driving under the influence is dangerous and unacceptable, and he will face accountability through the legal process.”

— Rob Roberson, Mayor of Elkhart (WNDU)

What’s next

Roberson is scheduled to appear in court to address the OWI charge.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges public officials face when family members are involved in high-profile incidents, and the importance of leaders setting an example and holding loved ones accountable for dangerous behavior like drunk driving.