NEWPORT, Ind. — An Indiana State Police trooper’s patrol vehicle was struck by a car about 2:30 p.m. Saturday on Indiana 63 near County Round 100 South in Vermillion County, ISP said.
Master Trooper Chuck Murphy was not injured.
Carmen Thornton, 66, of Chicago, faces preliminary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (Class A misdemeanor), possession of controlled substance (Class 6 felony), possession of a legend drug (Class 6 felony), and reckless driving (Class C misdemeanor).
Police said Murphy was conducting a traffic stop when his fully marked police vehicle was hit by Thornton’s car, which was southbound on Indiana 63.
After assuring there were no injuries, troopers investigated and found Thornton failed standard field sobriety tests and agreed to take a certified test. Legend drugs (prescription medication) also were discovered.
Thornton was taken to Union Hospital in Clinton, Ind., for a certified chemical test and then on to Vermillion County Jail.