(Michigan City, IN) - A trail of engine oil from a car involved in a single vehicle accident in Michigan City last evening led police to the suspected fleeing and impaired driver.

Eric Williams, 53, is charged with Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated.

He struck a curb about 7 p.m. at Ohio St. and W. Barker Ave. hard enough to cause oil to start leaking from the engine and body parts from the car to be scattered on the ground.

Police said an officer followed the trail of oil to the car parked in the driveway of Williams’ home on Elston St.  Williams, who had a female passenger, told the officer he struck the curb after his brakes went out.

A witness, though, told the officer “they were wasted,” police said.

Williams was taken into custody after he allegedly refused to take a blood alcohol test, which results in the automatic arrest of the driver under state law.