A LaPorte woman was arrested Tuesday for driving while allegedly impaired by morphine and other drugs with her daughter in the vehicle. The 26-year old woman also told officers she is expecting a baby and she crossed the center line because she was texting while driving.
About 2:30 p.m., LaPorte County Police were notified about erratic driving on Johnson Road near Crichfield Elementary School. A dispatcher was advised the driver was tailgating a car and veering over the center line in some curves.
The responding officer located the woman crossing Pine Lake Ave. and heading eastbound on Severs Road. According to police, the officer also observed the woman stop at a railroad crossing despite no train coming or crossing lights activated.
The woman, later identified as Dayle Pace, told the officer she is on prescription drugs like oxycodone and morphine for pain. She also said she crossed the center line because she was texting while driving.
A warrant was being sought for her arrest for operating while intoxicated due to symptoms of being impaired like slurred speech and dilated pupils.
According to police, officers are asking the charge be upgraded from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony because her 5-year-old daughter was riding with her.
