911 caller reports impaired driver

At 4:50 p.m. Thursday, Putnam County Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting an erratic driver eastbound on U.S. 40 in Putnamville. The caller said a black Chevrolet pickup was "swerving and traveling at various speeds" while eastbound near Putnamville.

At 5 p.m., Indiana State Police Trooper Jonathan Cumbie located the black 2001 Chevrolet pickup operating erratically eastbound on U.S. 40 near Putnam County Road 725 East.

The vehicle was stopped and the driver was identified as Gary Hewitt, 50, of Indianapolis.

Cumbie noticed what appeared to be medicine-type containers in the vehicle and asked Hewitt to take standard field sobriety tests, which he failed. A subsequent chemical test at the Putnam County Hospital revealed Hewitt tested positive for opiates.

Hewitt was booked into the Putnam County Jail on a preliminary charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated-controlled substance.

The Indiana State Police wish to remind motorists of the importance of dialing 911 to report dangerous or erratic driving.

Trooper Ryan Purkiser assisted with the stop.