MARTINSVILLE – A Sunday evening pursuit on I-69 initiated by the Indiana State Police has resulted in the arrest of a Kentucky woman for charges related to operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
On Sunday, October 11th, at approximately 6:10 p.m., the Morgan County Dispatch Center received a report of a black Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck traveling all over the roadway on I-69 southbound near the 148 mile marker, north of Martinsville. Trooper Collin Cook, who was on interstate patrol, located the suspect vehicle near the SR39 exits and attempted to initiate a traffic stop by activating his red/blue emergency lights. The driver, later identified as Misty Dawn Montgomery, Age 42, of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, failed to stop and continued southbound on the interstate.
Trooper Cook initiated a vehicle pursuit which continued for more than two miles until it was terminated following a successful Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver at the 131.5 mile marker, between Martinsville and Bloomington. Before Montgomery was apprehended, Cook observed signs of impairment and initiated an investigation into the operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated. During the investigation, Trooper Cook developed probable cause to offer Montgomery a chemical test, which she refused. Trooper Cook applied for and was granted a search warrant for a chemical blood test. Montgomery was not injured as a result of the PIT maneuver.
Following the chemical blood test, Montgomery was transported to the Morgan County Jail, where her custody was transferred on the following preliminary charges:
- Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, a Level 6 Felony
- Operating While Intoxicated, a Class A Misdemeanor
- Operating While Intoxicated with Endangerment, a Class A Misdemeanor
- Reckless Driving, a Class C Misdemeanor
Trooper Cook received assistance with the pursuit from additional Bloomington District Troopers, the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, and the Martinsville Police Department. Under Indiana State Police standard operating procedures, the PIT maneuver is classified as a lawful intervention technique to de-escalate/terminate a pursuit.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
