(Michigan City, IN) - A driver is accused of fleeing a police officer in Michigan City after having too much to drink.

Police said an officer witnessed 70 year old Stanley Wrice strike a median last week in the area of Michigan Boulevard and Carroll Avenue before stopping his vehicle.

As the officer approached, police said Wrice stomped on the gas pedal and was doing 68 miles per hour when he jumped a curb as he turned onto nearby Edwards Street.  The officer was behind him with his flashing lights and siren activated when Wrice pulled up to his residence.

Police said Wrice claimed to have consumed two beers.  However, police said there were three empty beer cans in his vehicle along with a halfway consumed fifth of whiskey.  He was arrested after allegedly refusing to take a blood alcohol test.

Police said the charge was upgraded to a felony because of a prior OWI conviction last year.