Man arrested for DUI after driving in hayfield

CLOVERDALE — An Indianapolis man was arrested on driving while intoxicated charges following a Monday-evening incident at a rural Cloverdale residence.

At 7:42 p.m. Putnam County sheriff’s deputies were called to a disturbance on County Road 175 East, the property of Leeroy O. Patton. Patton had called law enforcement after observing headlights in the hayfield south of his residence.

Patton drove his 2017 Ford F-150, issued by his employer, Crone Lumber Co., Martinsville, to the entrance of the hayfield and waited for the car to return.

As the 2015 Ford Focus approached, Patton exited the pickup. The Focus stopped and Patton began to converse with the driver, at one point telling him to stay put and wait for the arrival of law enforcement.

The driver, later identified as Travis H. Tomey, 31, Mooresville, immediately became agitated. He told Patton he must leave because if law enforcement arrived, he would end up going to jail. Patton told Deputy Daniel Birt he found this disturbing.

Tomey then reportedly put the vehicle in drive and tried to force the Focus between the truck and a parked dump trailer owned by Patton. The Focus failed to maneuver the gap and hit the F-150.

Tomey then backed up and continued talking to Patton, who did his best to de-escalate the situation. Patton told officers he could tell Tomey was intoxicated on something.

The driver again became agitated and again tried forcing his way between the truck and trailer. This time, his wheels became wedged, immobilizing the vehicle.

Indiana State Trooper Austin Fowler was the first officer on scene. He detained Tomey on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

With officers on scene and Tomey in custody, Patton was able to move his F-150 away from the car. The damaged car was removed by Trimble’s Wrecker Service.

Patton’s truck also sustained damage to the driver-side front fender and bumper. A light housing on his dump trailer also had minor damage to a light housing.

Birt estimated total damages at $5,000-$10,000.

Tomey’s dog was in the back seat. Putnam County Animal Control took custody of the dog, which was later turned over to Tomey’s grandparents.

Tomey was transported to the Putnam County Jail, where he submitted to a chemical test and was found to be well in excess of the legal limit.

After he was cleared by a doctor, Tomey was taken to the Putnam County Jail and booked in at 10:34 p.m. on a preliminary charge of driving while intoxicated with a prior conviction.

On Tuesday, Tomey was formally charged in Putnam Superior Court with Level 6 felony driving while intoxicated with a prior conviction, Level 6 felony driving with a BAC of .15 or more, Class A misdemeanor driving with a BAC of .15 or more and Class C misdemeanor driving while intoxicated.