Wayne County, IN – Indiana State Police discovered two individuals unconscious inside a vehicle that had stopped on Interstate 70 in Wayne County early on August 7.
According to a press release, Wayne County dispatchers received a report about a crash involving a blue sedan that had collided with a guardrail on the westbound side of I-70 near Richmond at around 1:30 a.m.
Crash Scene and Discovery
A state trooper responded to the crash scene and located the blue sedan near mile marker 146. Upon approaching the vehicle, which was stopped in the roadway, the officer found that both the driver and the passenger were unconscious.
As the trooper began to check on the individuals, he found a small plastic bag containing a white powdery substance between the passenger’s legs. The substance was suspected to be fentanyl, and was seized for analysis at a lab.
Arrests Made on Multiple Charges
After getting the vehicle’s occupants out of the car, the trooper performed a field sobriety test on the driver, later identified as Justin C. Dawson, a Connersville resident.
Dawson was arrested and faces the following preliminary charges:
- Possession of a narcotic drug — Level 4 Felony
- Possession of a controlled substance — Class A Misdemeanor
- Endangering others by operating while intoxicated — Class A Misdemeanor
- Operating a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance — Class C Misdemeanor
The passenger, Roxanne N. Steele, a 43-year-old from Connersville, was also arrested and faces:
- Possession of a narcotic drug — Level 4 Felony
- Possession of a controlled substance — Class A Misdemeanor
Both Dawson and Steele were booked into the Wayne County Jail following the traffic stop as reported.
Dangers of Fentanyl and Drugged Driving
Fentanyl is an extremely potent opioid, often involved in overdose deaths. It’s up to 50 times stronger than heroin, making it highly dangerous, especially when mixed with other substances.
Drugged driving is another growing issue. Driving under the influence of drugs, whether prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal substances like fentanyl, significantly impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction times, leading to serious crashes and fatalities.
What are your thoughts on the rising issue of fentanyl-related arrests? Should stricter penalties be enforced for drugged driving? Share your thoughts in the comments.
