(La Porte County, IN) - An impaired driver took down a NIPSCO pole last night in the Westville area.

 

La Porte County Police about 6 p.m. responded to County Line Road near Snyder Road where a NIPSCO pole was snapped off at the base and leaning against a 2014 Ford Edge, which had heavy front end damage.

 

Police said the driver, Sandra Ray, 45, of DeMotte was spotted by witnesses running into a woods after the crash.  She returned to the vehicle, though, when requested to do so by the investigating officer.

 

When asked if she consumed any alcoholic beverages, Ray, who was crying hysterically, said she had two beers with the last being one hour prior to the crash, according to police.

 

She refused a certified blood alcohol test but a search warrant was obtained from a judge to draw blood from her body to test for alcohol consumption, police said.

 

Her alleged blood alcohol level was .18 percent.

 

Ray, who was transported to the La Porte County Jail, could face an up to one year jail sentence on the Class A misdemeanor charge.