Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A Warsaw man was arrested Saturday in connection with the July 15 traffic-accident death of a Syracuse woman.
Results of a urine test performed that day on Anthony Conley, 49, of Gable Drive, Warsaw, indicated he tested positive for cocaine. An alcohol test was negative. He was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 10:12 a.m. Saturday and is being held in lieu of $25,000 bond.
Conley was the driver of a car that crossed the center line for an unknown reason and struck another car head-on.
A passenger in Conley's car, Judith A. Rollins, 59, of East Hatchery Road, Syracuse, suffered multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Conley suffered multiple injuries and was airlifted from the scene of the accident at the intersection of Ind. 13 and Syracuse-Webster Road, near North Webster, to Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne. Conley underwent extensive medical care prior to the charges being file against him, which was part of the reason for the delay in taking him into custody. It Conley was arrested sooner, the county would become responsible for the cost of his medical care.
The driver of the other car, Thomas F. Ward, 48, East Cornelius Road, Syracuse, suffered minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital and released.
Conley is charged with driving while intoxicated/causing death. The offense would be a Class C felony, except that Conley was convicted of driving while intoxicated on Oct. 8, 1998. Because he has a prior DWI conviction within five years of this charge, it becomes a Class B felony. If convicted, Conley faces six to 20 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
