A local man was arrested on several charges including operating a vehicle while intoxicated after an eyewitness reported that he nearly caused several vehicle crashes on Sunday afternoon.
Columbus police were sent to the 100 block of Carr Hill Road at 5 p.m. Sunday about a possible intoxicated driver who had pulled into a parking lot, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
An eyewitness reported seeing the driver of a small passenger car, later identified as Steven W. Minor, 66, of 2614 E. Main Cross St., who was weaving in the roadway and nearly ran off the road. The witness also reported that Minor was driving in the middle of Jonathan Moore Pike and struck a curb as he attempted to park the vehicle, Harris said.
When officers approached the vehicle in the parking lot, they observed Minor sleeping in the driver’s seat. After waking up Minor, he exited the vehicle and the officers noted that his balance was poor and eyes were bloodshot and glassy, Harris said.
Minor refused to cooperate with the DUI investigation and was verbally abusive towards the officers. After Minor refused to submit to a blood draw, he was placed under arrest, Harris said. Minor was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital where the officers applied for and later received a search warrant for a blood draw.
At the conclusion of blood draw, Minor was taken to the Bartholomew County Jail on preliminary charges of operating a vehicle as a habitual traffic offender, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, intimidation and a Bartholomew County warrant, jail officials said. Minor was being held in jail in lieu of $30,000 bond.
