A driver who allegedly was all over the road on his way toward Worthington last week, crossing over the fog line then crossing the center line almost causing head-on crashes, was intercepted by a WPD officer who arrested the driver for OVWI and obstruction of justice.

Monty Dale Maze, 45, Dugger, was arrested by Deputy Marshal Heather Wood of the Worthington Police Department last Tuesday, March 1.

At 3:46 p.m. last Tuesday, Greene County Sheriff’s Dispatch notified Officer Wood and WPD Reserve Officer David Sparks of a reckless driver southbound on State Road 67 heading toward Worthington. The vehicle was described as a maroon Ford pickup truck that was reported as being all over the roadway and crossing the center line coming close to causing head-on collisions.

Officer Wood headed north out of Worthington and when she located the suspect vehicle, it was across the fog line and partially off the road. After she turned around to initiate a traffic stop, the vehicle crossed over and went left of the center line then back across the fog line. The traffic stop was conducted at SR 67 and Third Street in Worthington.

Indiana State Police Trooper Kent Winstead also responded to the scene to assist with the stop.

The driver was identified as Monty Maze who allegedly said he couldn’t stay awake but Officer Wood detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Maze and asked if he’d been drinking. He allegedly said he’d had one beer in Spencer.

Officer Wood reported Maze showed other signs of impairment plus he couldn’t sit still and would not let her speak without interrupting her. He denied having anything illegal in the vehicle and consented to a search of the truck.

Officer Wood then deployed her K9 partner Jack who gave a positive alert on the driver’s side door.

During a search, the officer reported finding an open container of Bud in the console, still cold and half empty, plus several other empty alcoholic beverage containers including 99 proof butterscotch schnapps, Budweiser beer, blue raspberry 100 proof vodka and Yuengling beer.

Maze allegedly asked for a favor saying he’d just gotten an OVWI in previous days and he was just going home after having one hell of a day.

Maze was transported to the Linton Police Department where he failed standard field sobriety testing then refused to take a chemical breath test and refused to submit to a blood test. While at LPD, he was allegedly argumentative with officers and almost fell off a seat.

After a search warrant was issued, a blood draw was obtained at Greene County General Hospital, with assistance from hospital security due to his refusal to cooperate and argumentative attitude.

Maze was booked into the Greene County Jail at 6:25 p.m. with bond set at $8,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. He has since posted bond and been released from custody.

Maze is scheduled to appear in Greene Superior Court early tomorrow morning, March 8, for his initial hearing on charges of:

Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person – with a prior within seven years, a Level 6 felony, and
Obstruction of justice, a Level 6 felony.