A Linton man traveling with his young child in his vehicle was stopped in Bloomfield for a turn signal violation then arrested. He was in court on Monday, charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and neglect of a dependent.

Kyle Ray Barton, 32, Linton, was arrested by Deputy Marshal Wayman JR Blazier of the Bloomfield Police Department late Sunday night, March 10.

Officer Blazier was on patrol east of Bloomfield that night when he was alerted by dispatch about a possible reckless driver headed north on US 231 on the south edge of Bloomfield in a silver passenger car.

When he headed in that direction, he saw the car stopped at the intersection of US 231 and North Washington Street, turned around, got behind the car and notified dispatch he thought he had located the vehicle.

Blazier said when the light turned green, the silver car pulled into the intersection as if to go straight then suddenly stopped and abruptly made a left turn onto West Main Street without using a turn signal. Blazier initiated a traffic stop.

Barton was identified as the driver. Blazier reported a strong odor of alcohol coming from Barton and he noted other signs of impairment. He said Barton had difficulty retrieving his documentation, was taking large deep breaths and taking an extended amount of time to answer questions. According to Blazier, Barton had difficulty exiting the vehicle and moving to the back of the vehicle. He reported Barton was wobbling and swaying and used the vehicle to steady himself.

GCSD Deputies Bobby Pierce, Cameron Frye and Zac Goad also responded to assist on the scene.

Barton allegedly failed field sobriety testing and was transported to Greene County General Hospital for a medical clearance and a chemical test which was conducted – results pending.

Barton’s vehicle was towed and a young child in the back seat of the vehicle was transported to the sheriff’s department then released into the care of a family member.

Barton was booked in around 11:42 p.m. to the Greene County Jail where his bond was set at $12,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. He later posted $1,200 cash and was released.

On Monday afternoon, March 18, Barton appeared in Greene Superior Court for his initial hearing. He has been charged with:

Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, a Class A misdemeanor,
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor,
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person less than 18 years old, a Level 6 felony, and
Neglect of a dependent – defendant places dependent in a situation that endangers the dependent, a Level 6 felony.