Pierceton Clerk-Treasurer Gets DUI Following Town’s Christmas Party
Pierceton Clerk-Treasurer Gets DUI Following Town’s Christmas Party
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Pierceton Clerk-Treasurer Gets DUI Following Town’s Christmas PartyA Pierceton official was arrested recently for driving while intoxicated after leaving the town’s Christmas party.
Jerry Fredrick Kreger, 59, of 613 N. First St., Pierceton, the town’s clerk-treasurer, was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 10:11 p.m. Dec. 8 for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. His preliminary bond for the Class A misdemeanor was set at $700.
His initial hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Jan. 7 before Judge Torrey Bauer, according to court documents filed Monday.
On Dec. 8, Indiana State Police Lt. Chad D. Larsh was patrolling Ind. 13N near Old 30. He saw a green 1995 Dodge Dakota pickup truck traveling south and noticed it was weaving as it approached him.
Once the pickup passed Larsh, through his rearview mirror he saw it swerve. He turned around to follow it.
Larsh said the truck continued to weave on the road, and Kreger failed to signal lane changes or maintain his lane of travel, according to court documents.
As soon as Kreger’s truck passed through the intersection with U.S. 30, Larsh activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop. Kreger did not stop but pulled into a driveway at 613 N. First St., eventually stopping next to the home.
Larsh approached the vehicle at the driver’s side window. When Kreger opened his door, Larsh smelled alcohol.
Larsh asked Kreger how much he had to drink that evening. Kreger said that he was coming home from the town Christmas party at the Sleepy Owl. He also said he had spent most of the day at the hospital with his father and had a few drinks at home before going to the Christmas party.
While Kreger was speaking, Larsh noticed his speech was slurred and he mumbled. He also paused to think while he was talking.
Kreger fell out of his truck as he was getting his driver’s license and Larsh had to catch him from falling to the ground.
Kreger was given a portable breath test, and the result was .199. Kreger consented to a certified breath test, which showed he had an alcohol concentration equivalent to .191 gram of alcohol per 210 liters of breath.
Kreger was then arrested.
Kreger was selected the Republican Party clerk-treasurer nominee during the Pierceton town convention Aug. 17, 2015, after Janet Castle did not seek re-election in the May primary. He was unopposed in the general election that November.
Kreger served as council president for 13 of his 16 years on the town council.
