(La Porte County, IN) - A man whose driving was bad enough to be followed by an ambulance for several miles was arrested for operating while intoxicated.

 

Wenceslao Calderon, 54, had an alleged blood alcohol level just slightly below three times the legal limit.

 

La Porte County Police said an ambulance driver reported the suspect was not staying in his lane of travel or maintaining a consistent speed and nearly hit other vehicles Saturday night while traveling westbound on Indiana 2 near Rolling Prairie.

 

The ambulance was still behind the vehicle when it came into La Porte where the erratic driving continued until the vehicle stopped in the area of Lincolnway and Holcomb Street.

 

Police said Calderon, who was driving with his elderly mother in the front passenger seat, complied with orders to remove a piece of candy he placed into his mouth to try and hide the odor of alcohol on his breath.

 

An empty bottle of whiskey was found in the vehicle.

 

The La Porte man could face an up to one year jail sentence on the Class A misdemeanor offense.