Indiana's coronavirus stay-at-home order leads to criminal charge in drunk driving case

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An Indiana man has been charged criminally with violating the state’s coronavirus stay-at-home order after he crashed his pickup and was arrested on a drunk driving charge.

The wreck Wednesday was a few hours after the stay-at-home order, aimed at containing the rapidly spreading coronavirus, went into effect.

A Monroe County deputy was on patrol when he discovered a Ford pickup that had crashed into some trees, the Indiana Daily Student reported.

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Police said the pickup was being driven by 20-year-old Joseph Baker who wasn't injured but who smelled of alcohol and failed a field sobriety test, according to the newspaper.

Monroe County Sheriff Capt. Ryan Davis said Baker, of Bloomington, was coming from a social gathering, a violation of the stay-at-home order, according to the newspaper.

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Baker was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, illegal consumption and violation of a local disaster emergency order. He was released on bond.

Indiana’s stay-at-home violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a $1,000 fine or six months in jail, Fox 59 Indianapolis reported.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said the order, which went into effect at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, allows for only essential travel or business. The order expires April 6.

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Police and deputies aren’t patrolling roads looking for violators but are prepared to issue violations on a case-by-case basis.