(La Porte County, IN) - A suspected drunk driver was arrested after hitting a tree when his attempt to fool the police seemed to fail miserably.

 

Taylor Patz, 33, of La Porte, is charged with Operating While Intoxicated as a Level 6 felony because of a prior impaired driving conviction.

 

According to La Porte County Police, Patz struck a tree early Saturday in the area of Boardman Drive just off Johnson Road near Pine Lake. He told investigators he allowed someone to drive him home from a bar in Michigan City, and that person, after the collision, fled on foot.

 

However, police said bruises and other markings on his upper body were consistent with a seat belt from the driver’s side of the vehicle.

 

Officers also located the car keys in his pocket during a pat-down search, police said. Police also noted only the driver’s side airbag was deployed. Had he been a passenger, police said the airbag on the passenger side from a sensor also would have activated.

 

According to police, Patz had an alleged blood alcohol level of .209-percent. He was not seriously hurt.