A criminal case has been filed against a Bloomfield man stopped for driving too slow last May. He was released pending results of a blood test and is now facing charges involving driving under the influence of a controlled substance.

Carry Joe Cassidy, 33, Bloomfield, turned himself in at the sheriff’s department yesterday, around 1 p.m., Wednesday, January 15. His bond was set at $8,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. He posted $800 and was released with a date to appear in court.

Cassidy was also arrested on May 11 and subsequently charged with: Leaving the scene of an accident, a Class B misdemeanor; resisting law enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor; and criminal mischief, a Class B misdemeanor. That case stemmed from a crash that occurred in the area of the Sharkey Curve east of Bloomfield on May 10. The case is still pending.

The current case stems from a different incident that occurred on Thursday, May 16, a few days after the May 10 crash. Bloomfield Deputy Marshal Jordan Allor was the investigating officer.

On May 16, dispatch put out a broadcast about an SUV “all over the roadway.” The dispatcher said the SUV reportedly crossed the center line and went off the road and it was on State Road 54 headed toward Bloomfield from Sharkey Road.

Officer Allor drove east from Bloomfield and located a blue 2000 Dodge Durango traveling at a very low rate of speed with several vehicles behind it. Officer Allor initiated a traffic stop and the SUV pulled over.

Cassidy, the driver, was asked to exit the vehicle and Allor said Cassidy stumbled as he got out then stumbled again. Officer Allor said Cassidy had slowed, slurred speech as he told the officer he had not driven off the road, had not taken any illegal drugs but had taken a prescribed medication, Subutex, a Schedule III controlled substance.

Officer Allor alleged Cassidy showed other signs of impaired driving. When Greene County Sheriff’s Deputies David Elmore and Zach Goad arrived to assist, standard field sobriety tests were administered and Cassidy did not pass. Cassidy alleged his medication might be affecting him. Cassidy was transported to the sheriff’s department for standard field sobriety testing in a controlled environment. Officer Allor reported Cassidy failed the tests.

Cassidy was then transported to Greene County General Hospital for a blood draw. Cassidy was then given a courtesy ride home and released pending the results of the blood tests. According to a probable cause affidavit, test results showed Cassidy had clonazepam in his system.

Officer Allor noted that passengers in Cassidy’s vehicle had included one adult and one baby.

On January 9, a criminal case was filed against Cassidy and a warrant issued for his arrest.

He is currently scheduled to appear in Greene Superior Court in early February for an initial hearing when he will be formally charges with: Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor; and operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person less than 18 years old, a Level 6 felony.