A driver who is accused of nearly causing a head-on collision with a Bartholomew County Sheriff’s deputy was arrested after a traffic stop.
Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Whipker was traveling east on 25th Street near Fox Pointe Drive at 5:25 p.m. Thursday when a grey 2012 Hyundai Sonata crossed the center line into his lane, deputies said.
Whipker was able to avoid a collision with the vehicle and turned his vehicle around to stop the Sonata when he observed the vehicle continue to travel west in the eastbound lanes before it went into the grass on the south side of 25th Street, deputies said.
After the vehicle was stopped, Whipker spoke with the driver, identified as Shelby M. Harsh, 27, 2424 W. Northwind Court, deputies said. Whipker observed signs of impairment and could smell an odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle, deputies said.
Harsh told Whipker she had smoked heroin and marijuana earlier in the day, deputies said. A cut straw with burned residue and tin foil with burned residue was found in the vehicle, deputies said.
Harsh was arrested on preliminary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and possession of paraphernalia, and cited for driving left of center and driving while suspended with a prior conviction, deputies said.
Harsh has been released from the Bartholomew County Jail.
