Rochester – A Friday night traffic stop by Indiana State Trooper Ben Reason and Trooper Jesse Reason resulted in four Shipshewana, IN teens and a Topeka, IN teen facing alcohol related charges.
Friday at approximately 11:54 p.m., both troopers clocked, with radar, a 2001 Dodge Caravan traveling southbound on U.S. 31 at 110 miles per hour in a posted 60 miles per hour zone. As the troopers were catching up to the van, the occupants, later identified as the five teens, discarded alcoholic beverages out of the van’s windows. The troopers stopped the van near Fulton County Road 300 South.
When the troopers made contact with the 17 year-old male driver, they smelled a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from the vehicle. Officers also observed numerous alcohol containers, multiple cases of beer, and other bottles of alcoholic beverages to include a jug of whiskey. Further investigation revealed that the 17 year-old driver was purportedly operating the vehicle on a learners permit and had consumed alcohol.
There were two female passengers, ages 16 and 17, in the van. There were also two 16 year-old boys in the van. All of the teens had allegedly consumed alcohol.
“Alcohol, high speed, and teenagers is an all too often deadly combination, “stated Trooper Ben Reason. “I am glad we stopped these kids before they injured or killed themselves or someone else.”
The driver faces charges for reckless driving, a person under 21 operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration level between .02 and .08, minor consumption of alcohol, littering, learners permit violation, speeding, and unlawful possession of tobacco. The 16 year-old boys face charges for minor consumption of alcohol and unlawful possession of tobacco. Both teen girls face minor consumption of alcohol charges.
All five were released into the custody of a relative of one the teens. The troopers initially had trouble contacting the teen’s parents, because the parents do not use telephones due to practicing the Amish religion.
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