MITCHELL — A late-night traffic stop initiated due to a sideways license plate and excessive speed resulted in the arrest of a Mitchell man on suspicion of drunk driving. Kyle J. Johnson, 34, was taken into custody by the Lawrence County Police Department after his certified breath test registered nearly double the legal limit.
The incident report, detailed in a probable cause affidavit filed by Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputy Thomas Porter, outlines the events leading to the arrest, which occurred around 2:20 a.m. on November 22.
The chain of events began when Captain Harrison Fleetwood first spotted a 2024 white Ford Maverick, driven by Johnson, on 5th Street at X Street. Captain Fleetwood’s attention was drawn to the vehicle because its license plate appeared to be hanging at an angle.
After turning his patrol vehicle around, Captain Fleetwood observed the Maverick drive onto the shoulder of the road multiple times. The vehicle then traveled onto Highway 37, where it was clocked at approximately 68 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone.
The traffic stop, which was initiated near State Road 37 and Patrick Robins Way, did not end immediately. The vehicle continued southbound before pulling over on Pump House Road.
Upon approaching the driver, Captain Fleetwood immediately noticed a strong odor of alcohol. When asked about his consumption, Johnson allegedly admitted to drinking “four or five beers.”
When Officer Porter arrived to assist, he confirmed the strong scent of alcohol, noting Johnson’s eyes were bloodshot and watery. Furthermore, when asked to exit the vehicle, Johnson appeared unsteady on his feet. He failed field sobriety tests.
Johnson consented to a certified chemical test under Indiana’s implied consent law. He was transported to the Lawrence County Security Center, where the breath test registered his blood alcohol content at 0.136 g/210 L—well above the state’s legal limit of 0.08.
Johnson was subsequently booked on the charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
