ORANGE and PERRY CO. – Indiana State Police Sergeant Michael Allen, while off duty and driving his issued commission vehicle, made two separate arrests for driving under the influence (DUI) over the weekend in Orange and Perry counties.
The first incident occurred on Friday, May 2, near French Lick in Orange County. Sergeant Allen overheard a local dispatch report regarding a single-vehicle crash. Upon responding to the scene, Sergeant Allen made contact with the driver, identified as Michael Sheets, 63, of Anderson. According to police, Sheets displayed visible signs of impairment.
Sheets was transported to IU Health Hospital in Paoli for a chemical test and medical clearance. During a subsequent search, officers allegedly located a suspected controlled substance on Sheets’ person. Following medical clearance, Sheets was taken to the Orange County Jail. He faces charges of possession of a legend drug, a Level 6 felony, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Class A misdemeanor.
The second incident occurred on Saturday, May 3, in Perry County. Sergeant Allen observed a pickup truck making an illegal U-turn on Interstate 64 near Saint Croix. Sergeant Allen initiated a traffic stop and contacted the driver, identified as Kirk W. Steinhart, 24, of Jasper. Police reported that Steinhart also showed visible signs of impairment.
Steinhart was transported to the Perry County Jail for a chemical test. He was subsequently arrested and is currently being held on bond, facing a charge of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (OVWI) (Class A Misdemeanor).
Sergeant Michael Allen was the arresting officer in both incidents. He was assisted by Master Trooper Darryl Terryl and Trooper Leah Schnell in the Perry County arrest.
Authorities remind the public that all criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
