Police arrest woman on drug-related charges

Columbus police arrested a West Terre Haute woman on intoxication and drug charges after she nearly crashed her sport-utility vehicle into a car on Third Street.

At about 9:25 p.m. Saturday, officers stopped the SUV driven by Sandy J. McGee, 57. While speaking with McGee, officers observed an open bottle of beer in one of the vehicle’s cup holders. They also noted that McGee’s speech was slurred and difficult to understand, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesperson.

McGee exited her vehicle and performed field sobriety tests at the request of the officer. She was later transported to Columbus Regional Hospital for a blood-alcohol test, where McGee was later arrested, Harris said.

While preparing to tow McGee’s vehicle, officers located what appeared to be methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia inside her vehicle, Harris said.

McGee was transported to the Bartholomew County Jail and booked on preliminary charges of:

  • Operating a vehicle while intoxicated
  • Operating a vehicle while intoxicated – endangerment
  • Possession of methamphetamine
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia

McGee was released without bond as part of the county’s new-arrest proxy program, jail officials said.