(Michigan City, IN) - An elected official from Michigan City was stopped for allegedly driving twice the speed limit, and is now accused of being impaired at the time.
Joseph Nelson, 40, is charged in La Porte Superior Court 4 with operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Nelson is a city councilman representing the community’s 3rd Ward. Officials say before 2 a.m. on Saturday, Nelson was in the area of Willard Ave. and 7th St. on Michigan City’s north side, when an oncoming police officer clocked his speed at 60 mph. in a 30 mph zone.
During a traffic stop, police said the officer detected a suspected odor of marijuana coming from Nelson’s vehicle and smell of alcohol on his breath. After the officer asked for his driver’s license and vehicle registration, Nelson allegedly handed him the vehicle registration along with a municipal identification badge, listing him as a member of the city council. Nelson explained he did not have his driver’s license on his possession.
No marijuana was found in the vehicle, however, an empty alcoholic beverage container was located on the back passenger side floorboard. Police also found a loaded semi-automatic handgun inside a bag in the trunk of the vehicle.
Nelson was taken into custody after refusing to submit to a certified blood alcohol test. He could face up to a one year jail sentence on the Class A misdemeanor count.
Nelson is in the second year of his first four year term on the nine member city council.
