A driver denied running off the road to the right then crossing the center line to the left and said he’d only had a couple of beers, but a breath test showed he had a BAC of .146.

James Elmer Harris, 64, Bloomfield, was arrested by Lt. Marvin Holt of the Bloomfield Police Department. Harris was booked into the Greene County Jail at 12:42 a.m. on Saturday, June 19, following an incident that started late Friday, June 18.

Officer Holt left the police department at 11:16 p.m. that Friday, just starting out on night patrol. heading east on State Road 54, when he saw a black 2007 Chevrolet Silverado make a turn then immediately run off the right side of the road near Farmers and Mechanics Bank. Officer Holt was then traveling behind the black truck when it traveled left of center, over half of a car width, before correcting and getting back into the eastbound lane. Officer Holt initiated a traffic stop to check on the driver’s welfare.

When the officer explained the reason for the stop, Harris allegedly denied running off the road and driving left of center. While conducting the stop, the officer detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage and noticed a six pack of cold Bud in the floorboard. Harris said he’d had two beers that night.

When asked to get out of the truck, Harris allegedly pulled himself out then fell against the truck and had to use the bed of the truck to keep from falling. During standard field sobriety testing, Harris allegedly failed the first part then said he couldn’t do the rest due to his balance. He also refused to do the tests after he was transported to the sheriff’s department.

Harris agreed to take a certified breath test. Results showed he had a BAC of .146. The legal limit is .08.

Records showed Harris was previously convicted in 2019 of operating a vehicle while intoxicated in Monroe County.

Bond was set at $8,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. Harris posted $800 and was released from jail later on Saturday, June 19.

Harris is scheduled to appear in Greene Superior Court for his initial hearing on Thursday morning, July 1.  

He is facing charges of:

• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person – with a prior within seven years, a Level 6 felony,

• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated – with a prior within seven years, a Level 6 felony,

• Operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to .08 or more – with a prior conviction, a Level 6 felony,

• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, a Class A misdemeanor,

• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor, and

• Operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to at least .08 but less than .15, a Class C misdemeanor.