A Linton man was arrested on multiple misdemeanor charges after Greene County deputies say a passenger fell from his moving vehicle on State Road 54 last week.

According to the Greene County Sheriff's Office, deputies were traveling west on State Road 54 near the intersection with State Road 57 at approximately 7:09 p.m. Dec. 15 when they observed the passenger door of a maroon 2010 Dodge Ram open while the vehicle was still in motion.

Deputies reported seeing the passenger exit the truck and fall onto the roadway while the vehicle was traveling at an estimated 35 miles per hour. The truck continued west, stopped at the intersection, then proceeded through the intersection before pulling over.

Deputies exited their patrol vehicle and found the passenger unconscious in the roadway and bleeding from the head. Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene, and the passenger was transported by ambulance for treatment.

Another deputy made contact with the driver, later identified as Shawn Justin Hall, 48, of Linton. Deputies reported Hall showed signs of impairment, including unsteady balance, slurred speech and glassy eyes, and that the odor of an alcoholic beverage was detected on his breath.

According to the probable cause affidavit, a check through dispatch revealed Hall’s driver’s license was suspended and not eligible for reinstatement due to a prior conviction in 2021.

Hall told deputies he had been drinking beer at a bar in Elnora and stated he was taking medication, which he said intensified the effects of alcohol. Deputies attempted to conduct standardized field sobriety tests but stopped due to Hall’s unsteady balance.

Hall consented to a preliminary breath test at the scene, which registered an alcohol concentration equivalent of .197, according to the probable cause. After being transported to the Greene County Sheriff’s Department, deputies conducted additional testing, including a chemical breath test, which registered an alcohol concentration equivalent of .214.

Hall was arrested at approximately 8:42 p.m. Dec. 15 on preliminary charges of operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent of .15 or more and driving while suspended with a prior suspension within 10 years. His bond was set at $5,000 surety, with 10% cash allowed. He was released after posting $500.

Court records show Hall appeared in Greene Superior Court on Dec. 17 for an initial hearing, where he entered a plea of not guilty.