A 38-year-old Westville man is facing pending charges after LaPorte County Sheriff’s deputies say he drove a farm tractor while intoxicated, damaging multiple mailboxes and other property Tuesday night before being located near the intersection of North Otis Road and West County Road 100 North in Coolspring Township.
According to police, deputies were dispatched at approximately 11:11 p.m. on July 21 after receiving reports of a farm tractor striking several mailboxes. When deputies arrived, they found a green 1975 John Deere tractor with a damaged New Holland disc mower attached. The mower had a flat tire and a broken PTO shaft.
A witness told investigators she had been following the tractor and watched it strike several mailboxes before attempting a U-turn at the intersection. She said a Jeep arrived, a woman got out and spoke with the tractor operator, who then got into the Jeep while another man climbed onto the tractor in an apparent attempt to move it.
Police said that after speaking with those involved, investigators determined Daniel J. Krupa had been operating the tractor. According to the report, Krupa admitted he drove the tractor to the intersection and told deputies he had consumed a bourbon and ginger ale around 6 p.m., but denied drinking anything else or knowing he had struck anything.
Deputies reported detecting a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on Krupa, observing him swaying while standing and staggering as he walked. During field sobriety testing, deputies said Krupa displayed multiple signs of impairment and was unable to safely complete portions of the walk-and-turn and one-leg stand tests after repeatedly losing his balance. Krupa also told deputies he had recently suffered a head injury and described himself as “broken” when asked about physical issues.
According to the report, a preliminary breath test produced a result of 0.225% BrAC. Deputies transported Krupa for a chemical test and medical clearance, but police said he refused to consent to a blood draw after arriving at the hospital. He was later transported to the LaPorte County Jail.
A deputy investigating the damage reported finding gouge marks in the roadway extending several miles through LaPorte County and into Porter County. Investigators also documented two damaged mailboxes, overturned recycling totes, damage where several properties met the roadway, and significant damage to the attached farm implement.
Pending charges:
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Endangerment (Class A Misdemeanor)
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Per Se (Class C Misdemeanor)
