A Linton driver, who allegedly came close to causing a head-on crash with an officer’s patrol vehicle before pulling in to a gas station in Worthington, is facing a drug charge plus she’s suspected of driving in an impaired state.

Tracie Marie Shipwash, 51, Linton, was taken into custody by Greene County Sheriff’s Deputies Heather Wood and Sgt. Bobby Pierce last Friday evening, August 24, outside the Country Porch gas station and convenience store in Worthington.

Deputy Wood was driving southbound on State Road 67 through Worthington, with Sgt. Pierce, around 6:40 p.m. when an oncoming northbound silver Chrysler Sebring operated by Shipwash crossed the center line.

Wood said she had to swerve the patrol vehicle in order to avoid a head-on crash. When she looked in the rearview mirror, she saw the car cross the center line a second time.

The patrol vehicle turned around. Lights and sirens. Shipwash pulled into the gas station.

Shipwash got out of her car and was ordered to get back in her car. She allegedly said, “I’m getting gas!” She was again ordered to get back in her car.

Deputy Wood reported Shipwash appeared to be under the influence of something. Shipwash denied that but did say she takes and has a prescription for suboxone.

A records check revealed Shipwash’s driver’s license was suspended so a tow truck was called. Officers reported finding pills in the vehicle, identified as Schedule IV controlled substances – they have been sent to a lab for testing.

Sgt. Pierce administered field sobriety tests and reported Shipwash failed all before she was transported to the sheriff’s department.

GCSD Detective Shawn Cullison administered field sobriety tests a second time at the sheriff’s department and also reported she failed.

Shipwash refused consent for a chemical test, so Deputy Wood requested a search warrant which was approved by Judge Dena Martin.

The Greene County Ambulance Service responded to the jail for the blood draw but they were unsuccessful and Shipwash was transported to Greene County General Hospital where a blood draw was successfully obtained before 11 p.m. Results are pending.

Shipwash was booked in to the Greene County Jail and was initially held without bond.

Greene County Deputy Prosecutor Cheryl Jackson Stone filed a criminal case against her on Tuesday.

When Shipwash appears at an initial hearing, she will be charged with:

• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, a Class A misdemeanor,
• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor, and
• Possession of a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor.