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Impaired driving and road rage
Clay County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police have been busy on patrol in the county this week.
Late Sunday evening, August 13, Clay County Sheriff’s Deputies were on patrol in a central area of Clay County, just east of Brazil, when a deputy observed a vehicle traveling erratically. A traffic stop was conducted, and a subsequent investigation was started due to the driver allegedly displaying signs of impairment.
A Sheriff’s Department K9 was deployed around the scene and the vehicle. The K9 alerted to the presence of an illegal substance inside.
The driver, Tonya L. Barton, 50, Crawfordsville, was discovered to have suspected methamphetamine and paraphernalia.
Barton failed on-scene sobriety tests and refused a chemical test. Barton was remanded to jail staff without incident.
Barton was transported and booked into the Clay County Justice Center around 11 p.m. on preliminary charges of;
Level 5 Felony - Possession of Methamphetamine;
Misdemeanor Possession of Paraphernalia; and
Misdemeanor Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.
Barton has a $10,000 cash bond and is currently incarcerated, awaiting formal court proceedings.
Meanwhile, around noon Monday, August 14, Indiana State Police Putnamville troopers responded to an emergency 911 call reporting road rage and potential gunfire near the westbound 24-mile marker on Interstate 70.
Allegedly, a driver of a silver Mercury was firing a weapon at a Black Honda.
Troopers and Terre Haute Police officers located the two vehicles on US 41 near a gas station and detained the driver of the silver Mercury, Michael E. Smith, 52, Wentzville, Missouri.
Smith had become enraged at the Honda and allegedly fired at least one shot at the vehicle. The Honda was occupied by an unidentified adult driver and one child.
Detectives were able to secure evidence at the scene.
Smith was taken into custody and transported to the Clay County Justice Center on preliminary charges of;
Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony
Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony
Criminal Recklessness (2 counts), Level 6 Felony
NOTE: All individuals named in this matter are presumed innocent until proven guilty.