Chicago woman faces felony charges after kissing officer during DUI arrest
Meisha Thomas drove 36 miles on the wrong side of Interstate 65 before an encounter with state police ended in a battery charge.
By Pablo Kuznetsov ·
Indiana State Police recorded a 36-mile stretch of wrong-way driving before they pulled over a Chicago woman who was visibly intoxicated. The incident occurred on Interstate 65 in Lake County, ending in a jail booking and a Level 6 felony charge.
Dispatchers received a 911 call at 1:36 a.m. Sunday from Meisha Thomas, 42. Police described her voice as highly intoxicated and her information as erratic. They tracked her vehicle as it moved south near the Lowell exit. A trooper located the car after it entered Jasper County. The vehicle was moving between 30 and 50 mph in a 70 mph zone. It swerved across lanes and forced other drivers to brake sharply.
Thomas initially ignored the trooper's lights and siren. She eventually stopped in the left lane of the interstate. The officer noted slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and poor coordination. A strong smell of alcohol was also present. Thomas told police she had just left a casino in Gary and was heading home to Chicago. Investigators later confirmed she had traveled the wrong way for 36 miles.
The arrest involved physical contact that police described as inappropriate. Thomas made sexual comments and physical advances toward the trooper. She attempted to kiss the officer while he secured her with a seat belt. This action led to a battery charge against a public safety official. The charge is a Level 6 felony.
Thomas failed field sobriety tests and refused chemical testing under Indiana law. Police obtained a warrant for a blood draw at a local hospital. She was taken to the Jasper County Jail. In addition to the felony, she faces three misdemeanor charges. These include operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, and reckless driving. No date has been set for her next court appearance.
The case illustrates the financial and legal costs associated with traffic violations that escalate due to impaired judgment. The charges reflect specific actions taken by the driver and the officer. The legal process will determine the final outcome for Thomas.
Source: FOX 32 Chicago
