Miami County – Last night, a Silver Alert issued for the Auburn Police Department had a happy ending when an Indiana State Trooper located the 79 year-old woman who was the subject of the alert.
Last night, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Miami County Central Dispatch broadcasted information that a Toyota Prius was being driven erratically on southbound U.S. 31 near Miami County Road 1200 North. Indiana State Police Trooper Todd Trottier was in the area and quickly located the Prius. The vehicle was traveling at approximately 15 miles per hour on U.S. 31, which has a posted speed limit of 60 miles per hour.
As Trottier followed the Toyota, he informed the Indiana State Police Regional Dispatch Center of Prius’ license plate number. The plate returned to a vehicle wanted in connection with a Silver Alert issued on Wednesday evening for Carolin Carteaux, 79, Auburn, IN. Trottier initiated a traffic stop on the Prius by activating the emergency lighting and siren on his police car. The Prius’ driver continued driving at low speeds for approximately four miles. During that time, Trottier was able to see the driver was an elderly female who seemed confused about the situation.
Eventually the Prius slowed to approximately three to four miles per hour. Trottier exited his police car and ran to the driver’s side of the Toyota. The Toyota continued for a few hundred feet, before Trooper Trottier was able to convince the seemly disoriented driver to roll down the driver’s side window. Trottier reached inside the vehicle and placed the car it into park.
The driver was Carteaux. She was disoriented and did not know where she was traveling to, nor where she had traveled from. She was transported by ambulance to Dukes Memorial Hospital for an evaluation.
Trooper Trottier was assisted by Trooper Michael Biggs, Miami County Sheriff’s Deputy Stephanie Coppler, and Dukes Hospital EMS.
-30-
