Man accused of driving SUV into store while intoxicated

A local man was arrested after he was accused of crashing his sports utility vehicle into the back of a large retail store, police said.    

William Craig Fisher, 55, 2616 Triangle Court, was arrested on charges of operating a vehicle as a habitual traffic violator, a Level 6 felony, as well as a misdemeanor count of driving while intoxicated.   

A field test indicated Fisher’s blood alcohol content was .257 percent, more than three times the legal limit when he was stopped, police said.

Officers found Fisher shortly after 4 p.m. Monday on Middle Road, said Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.

Officers were first alerted by a witness who told them a 1999 Ford Explorer crashed into the back of the Best Buy store at 1343 N. National Road. However, there was little to no damage to the electronics outlet north of Taylor Road, police said.

The witness said he then saw the SUV almost cause a traffic accident as the driver pulled out on to National Road from the shopping center heading north, police said.

The officer who later pulled over Fisher’s vehicle detected alcohol on the driver’s breath and saw Fisher lean against the SUV to help maintain his balance, police said. He failed several field sobriety tests before his arrest, police said.

Fisher is being held in the Bartholomew County Jail in lieu of $12,500 surety or $1,250 cash bond, jail officials said.