Full Notification

 
Richmond – Three men were arrested early this morning after the vehicle they were in was stopped for speeding, disregarding a red light and finally making an illegal U-turn. From March 3 through March 26, 2017, officers across the state are conducting high-visibility patrols specifically designated to identify and intercept those driving aggressively and under the influence.
 
Trooper Jacob Ridgeway was following behind the red Toyota this morning around 12:45 a.m. northbound on Chester Blvd. in Richmond when it ran the red light at Industries Rd. The car then sped up exceeding the 30 and 40 M.P.H. zones before making an illegal U-turn at the I-70 overpass.  Trooper Ridgeway got the car stopped and made contact with the driver, Nicholas Atkinson, age 18 of Indianapolis.  Ridgeway detected the smell of alcoholic beverage and marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.
 
Further investigation led to the discovery of a bottle of an assortment of pills, marijuana and a bottle of whiskey.  The driver Nicholas Atkinson was arrested for Possession of a Legend Drug, Level 5 Felony and Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana and Minor Transporting Alcohol, all misdemeanor charges.  He was lodged in the Wayne County Jail.
 
Atkinson’s passengers Joshua Ward, age 19 of Richmond, and Hunter Loyd, age 18, were also arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana, with Loyd also charged with Minor Consuming Alcohol. They were lodged in the Wayne County Jail. Trooper Ridgeway was assisted in his investigation by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana Excise Police.
 
Operation Pull Over, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” allows increased enforcement this month and is a statewide effort supported by federal funding allocated to the state police from the Traffic Safety Division of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI). Motorists can expect to see added patrols and sobriety checkpoints during this month’s enforcement period.
 
According to ICJI, in March 2016 there were 495 alcohol-related crashes across Indiana, resulting in 231 injuries and 11 fatalities. Motorists are encouraged to report suspected impaired drivers by calling 9-1-1. Give a vehicle description, location, and direction of travel. Never follow an impaired driver
All Suspects Are Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty in a Court of Law