A La Porte County Police officer went to go extremes to avoid being struck by a vehicle driven by a suspected impaired driver.

 

Richard Santana, 23, of Michigan City is charged with Class A Misdemeanor Operating while Intoxicated.

 

The officer was stopped at a red light at about 2 a.m. on Sunday. Santana was traveling at a high rate of speed on U.S. 20 and attempted to turn right onto Johnson Road. The officer, concerned he was about to be hit, pulled into the intersection and conducted a U-turn to avoid a collision.

 

According to police, Santana exhibited various symptoms of intoxication, claiming he was trying to drive his friends and himself home from a nearby bar.

 

His alleged blood alcohol level was .137 percent or slightly two times below the legal limit.