An out-of-county driver whose behavior attracted the attention of Bloomfield police officers late last Friday night, was stopped on the hill road near the Calvertville Curve, then arrested. When he appeared in court today, he was charged with felony counts involving drunk driving.

Dustin Lee Clay, 25, of Paragon, Ind., was arrested by Lt. Marvin Holt of the Bloomfield Police Department very early Saturday, August 25.

Officer Holt was on patrol last Friday night and both he and BPD Deputy Marshal Wayman JR Blazier were at the Picnic Basket gas station and convenience store on South Washington Street around 11:35 p.m. when a white 2017 Kia Forte operated by Clay pulled in next to the diesel pumps well away from the front doors.

Holt said both he and Officer Blazier thought this was suspicious because none of the four occupants of the car pumped any fuel at the pumps and there were several parking spots by the door – but that’s where the officers were located.

They noticed one person appeared to be passed out in the car. The others got out and went into the store then returned to the car and when they left, Holt left at the same time.

Holt reported Clay drove north out of town and on State Road 157, Clay was driving at inconsistent speeds ranging from 35 to 60 mph and was bouncing from the center line to the fog line, and nearly ran off the road.

A records check on the license plate revealed it was expired. A traffic stop was initiated in the area of the Calvertville Curve on SR 157.

Holt said as he conducted a normal traffic stop, a passenger who was the vehicle’s registered owner was fumbling through the paperwork and he could smell a strong odor of alcohol. When asked if he had anything to drink, Clay allegedly said he had a beer three hours earlier.

The driver was asked to exit the vehicle for field sobriety tests. Holt said he failed then tested with a .156 blood alcohol concentration on a portable breathalyzer.

Clay was transported to the sheriff’s department where Holt said he again failed field sobriety tests, but agreed to take a chemical breath test.

Holt reported results showed Clay had a blood alcohol concentration of .168. The legal limit is .08.

Records show that in January, Clay was convicted in Monroe County of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and he told the officer he was currently on probation.

Clay was booked in to the Greene County Jail where his bond was set at $8,000 surety with ten percent allowed. He was released later the same day after posting $800 cash.

On Thursday afternoon, August 30, Clay appeared in Greene Superior Court for his initial hearing and was charged with:

• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor,
• Operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to .15 or more, a Class A misdemeanor,
• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, a Class A misdemeanor,
• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a prior conviction, a Level 6 felony,
• Operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration of .15 or more with a prior conviction, a Level 6 felony, and
• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, a Level 6 felony.

The case was filed by Greene County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Keven McIntosh. Greene County Public Defender Alan Baughman was appointed to represent Clay.