Elkhart County – Shortly before 4:00 p.m. Monday a two vehicle crash in Elkhart sent a woman to the hospital and a man to jail for drunk driving.
During routine patrol Indiana State Trooper Gretchen Deal drove up on a crash on US 20 and Nappanee St. in Elkhart involving a gray Chevrolet Malibu and silver Nissan. After speaking with the two drivers she learned that the driver of the Chevrolet, Ben Mireles, 30 of South Bend had rear ended the Nissan at the intersection. The driver of the Nissan, Stephanie Johnson of Elkhart was complaining of head pain and was transported to Elkhart General Hospital where she was kept overnight for observation.
Further investigation by Deal revealed that Mireles had a suspended learners permit and that he had also been drinking prior to the crash. Mireles was taken to the Elkhart County Jail where he was given field sobriety tests and administered a breath test. Mireles failed the certified test with a blood alcohol content of .13%.
Mireles was arrested for operating while intoxicated and driving while suspended.
*All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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