An update from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department:

 

On Saturday, October 8, 2022, at about 11:54 pm, Patrolman TJ Brown with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office was on routine patrol driving eastbound on US 40 west of Salisbury Road. While eastbound, Patrolman Brown observed a west bound vehicle drive left of the centerline and was coming head on towards him. In an evasive maneuver to avoid a head-on collision and other traffic on the roadway, Patrolman Brown applied his brakes and swerved toward the west bound lanes of US 40. The out of control vehicle continued left of the centerline and collided with Patrolman Brown’s vehicle, striking the rear passenger’s side door.  Because of Patrolman Brown’s alertness and quick evasive action, a head-on collision was avoided. 

 

Patrolman Brown was not injured, and the driver of the other vehicle, later identified as Taylor Scalf, age 28 of Richmond, IN, sustained very minor injuries.  Ms. Scalf was operating a maroon 2021 Nissan Kicks SUV.  Ms. Scalf exhibited signs of intoxication and was taken to Reid Hospital for a medical evaluation and a drug and alcohol test.  Ms. Scalf test .323 by plasma and was arrested for multiple charges including Operating While Intoxicated with a Prior Conviction (a Level 6 Felony), Operating While Intoxicated – Endangering a Person (a Class A Misdemeanor) and Operating While Intoxicated with a Blood Concentration of .15% or Higher (a Class A Misdemeanor). 

 

Ms. Scalf was lodged in the Wayne County Jail. During the investigation of the crash it was also discovered that the license plates that were on Ms. Scalf’s vehicle did not belong to her vehicle.  Both vehicles sustained substantial damage and were removed from the scene following the at-scene investigation.