(La Porte County, IN) - A driver apparently in a hurry to find a restroom was pulled over for driving twice the speed limit.  Recognizing a sense of urgency on her face, the police officer allowed her to drive to a gas station before writing her up.

 

Bernadette Adams, 51, was not arrested.  Instead, she was ordered to appear in a Michigan City courtroom on a charge of reckless driving, a Class C misdemeanor.  The Chicago area woman could face an up to 60 day jail sentence and a maximum $500 fine.

 

According to La Porte County Police, the westbound Adams was clocked at 87 miles per hour late Saturday morning on a stretch of U.S. 20 outside Rolling Prairie where the speed limit is 45 mph.

 

Police said her speed kept increasing while the officer trying to catch up fell further behind as he approached 95 mph. She was also changing lanes without using a turn signal while weaving her way around slower moving traffic. 

 

Adams pulled over after the lights and siren on the sheriff’s vehicle were activated.  Police said the officer was approaching when the frantic looking Adams yelled she was trying to get to the restroom.  The officer stopped what he was doing and made her an offer.

 

Police said she agreed to let the officer follow her at normal speeds to the nearest gas station, which was about two miles away at U.S. 20 and Indiana 39.  Upon arrival, the woman made her way into the restroom. She was handed a summons ordering her into court when she stepped out.

 

La Porte County Sheriff Ron Heeg supported the decision to charge her despite Mother Nature’s not so great timing.

 

“Just because you got to use the restroom doesn’t make it right to drive recklessly when you put other people’s live in danger,” he said.

 

Her appearance in La Porte Superior Court 4 is scheduled for 9 a.m. on November 1st.