pocketrocket
02-02-2007, 05:55 PM
Drunk Driver In Hummer Attempts To “Get A Room” At Indiana State Police Post
FORT WAYNE, INDIANA - On Wednesday February 1, 2007 Communications Dispatchers Leia Connett and Jonathon Jacob were working the “Midnight” shift, dispatching for the Indiana State Police. Dispatcher Connett saw a vehicle pull into the parking lot and go around the building and park in an area restricted to police vehicles.
The post is equipped with surveillance cameras around the outside of the building to monitor vehicular and foot traffic. They observed the driver get out of his H3 Hummer and go to the passenger side looking at his vehicle. Dispatcher Jacob went to the rear entry door and attempted to identify the driver through the door, thinking it may be an Excise Officer or someone who may be working “Under Cover”.
Dispatcher Jacob could see a female passenger crawling across the center console to get to the driver’s door to exit the vehicle. The pair started to walk away from their vehicle when the dispatcher opened the back door and asked if they needed assistance. The male turned and responded they were going to the front door to “Get a Room”.
At this time the District Duty Officer, Trooper Jami Hotchkiss, approached the man and woman and again inquired where they were going. There was extensive damage to the front passenger portion of the red Hummer and it was leaking fluids.
He began to tell the trooper how he was going to get a room for the night. When Trooper Hotchkiss asked how his vehicle was damaged he said “Somebody hit me and took off”.
This all took place at approximately 1:42 am. At 1:45 the Fort Wayne City Police received a call of a “Hit Skip” crash at US 24 and I-69. (One block away) At 1:52 the city police arrived at the post and were quick to identify the vehicle as the one who left the scene of the crash on US 24 and drove the wrong way on a one way road directly in front of the state police post. The driver of the other vehicle in the crash was not injured.
Michael J. DeWitt (39) of Warsaw, Indiana was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, (he tested twice over the legal limit) and “Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash”. Dewitt was arrested without further incident. The female companion was not charged with a crime and was taken to a private residence.
In defense of Mr. Dewitt, the Holiday Inn is located directly next door to the State Police Post.
Although the Indiana State Police Post is not Motel 6 - “We will still leave the light on for you”.