Ohio State Highway Patrol Officer Arrested for Drunk Driving

An Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper was arrested last week for driving 102 mph while highly intoxicated, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Mount Gilead Post Commander Lt. Toby Smith arrested trooper Tiffany Wilson after she drove at high rates of speed along Interstate 71 in Morrow County. Wilson was off-duty in her personal vehicle at the time of her arrest.
Here are some facts about the Ohio State Highway Patrol arrest:
* Wilson's blood-alcohol test results revealed she had 0.16 percent of alcohol in her system, twice the legal limit. Wilson has been employed as a state highway patrol officer since 2000.
* A Lancaster Gazette report notes Wilson was arrested at 12:30 a.m. After her arrest, Wilson, 39, was ordered to surrender her badge, weapon and patrol credentials, according to agency spokeswoman Lt. Anne Ralston.
* The Gazette reports Wilson was arraigned in Mount Gilead Municipal Court and released pending a hearing date. Ralston refused to comment on the speeding and drunk driving incident due to the pending criminal investigation. The spokeswoman said she had no details about Wilson's activities prior to getting behind the wheel the evening of the arrest.
* 10TV reports that a male witness called 911 and followed the vehicle driven by Wilson for approximately 10 minutes. The witness asked 10TV to remain anonymous. He stated the driver was drunk and he was unable to keep up with the vehicle because it was going nearly 80 mph. The witness also reported the trooper's vehicle swerved into the roadway median several times.
* Wilson is on personal leave and will be placed on administrative duties pending the outcome of an internal investigation, according to the Gazette. Possible disciplinary action will depend on the outcome of the law enforcement agency's investigation results.
* Wilson was not held in jail overnight, according to 10TV. She was cited and allowed to return to her home. There were no aggravating or extenuating circumstances attributing to the roadway incident, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol spokeswoman's statements to 10TV. Wilson was not available for comment.
* NBC4 reports Wilson was released to a sober driver. Ralston said Wilson was not jailed because she is from the area and this was her first offense. Ralston contends other drivers would likely be treated in the same manner given they had a similar record and local address. Wilson has a clean disciplinary record.
* The trooper will face a $1,000 fine and up to one year in prison if convicted.