A driver accused of operating a vehicle recklessly near downtown Columbus was arrested on multiple charges.
Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department deputy Adam Warner was sent Friday to 10th Street near Central Avenue in Columbus and saw the vehicle at 11th Street and Lafayette Avenue, where the vehicle did a burn-out when taking off from the stop signs at Lafayette and Franklin streets, deputies said.
When Warner attempted to stop the vehicle, driven by Jorge Huberto Chavez, 37, of 931 Pearl St., Chavez ran the traffic light at 11th and Washington streets and drove north on Washington at a high rate of speed, deputies said. He stopped the vehicle at the intersection of 14th and Washington streets, deputies said.
Chavez appeared to be intoxicated and Warner saw alcoholic beverage bottles inside the vehicle, deputies said.
Chavez told Warner he did not have a driver’s license and investigators confirmed Chavez had a felony warrant pending from Jennings County, deputies said.
He was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital to be checked before being arrested on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, operating a vehicle without ever receiving a license and the felony warrant. He was also cited for three traffic violations in the incident, deputies said.
Chavez is being held without bond in the Bartholomew County Jail, jail officials said.
