ST. JOSEPH COUNTY – On Saturday, July 25, at approximately 1:55 p.m., Indiana State Police Dispatch began receiving calls of an erratic driver on the Indiana Toll Road travelling westbound near the 85-mile marker. Callers described a black Ford Fusion as having erratic speeds and driving in and out of the lanes.
As troopers began to respond to these complaints, they received a call of a crash between a black passenger car and a semi in the westbound lanes near mile marker 79 at approximately 2:04 p.m. Trooper Matt Henson arrived to find a black Ford Fusion in the roadway that had run into the back of a trailer being towed by a semi that was traveling westbound in the right lane. Henson was quickly able to determine that this was the same Ford from the complaints that had been called in minutes earlier.
While speaking to the driver of the Ford, identified as Destiny Gritzmaker, 32, of South Bend, IN, Henson noticed signs of impairment and began an OWI investigation. Gritzmaker refused medical treatment at the scene but was transported to an area hospital for a certified test for impairment and also received treatment for injuries from the crash. The driver of the semi that was involved in this crash was not injured.
After being medically cleared, Gritzmaker was arrested and transported to the St. Joseph County Jail for operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangerment.
On Saturday, Indiana State Troopers from the Toll Road Post arrested three drivers for operating while intoxicated. The Indiana State Police reminds drivers of the importance of driving sober. The consequences are high if you drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol will lead to being arrested and greatly increases the chances of being involved in a crash where you or others could be injured or killed.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent until proven guilty through a fair and due legal process. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
