INDIANAPOLIS — An alleged drunk driver has been arrested after a deadly crash on Indianapolis' northwest side.
IMPD said officers responded to a report of a crash near the intersection of North Michigan Road and West Northgate Street, near West 58th Street, around 11:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. They arrived to find that a sedan and pickup truck had collided.
The driver of the sedan, 23-year-old James Rene, was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to court documents, police spoke to the driver of the pickup, Blake Hopkins, who, during the conversation, displayed signs of intoxication.
Court documents say Hopkins admitted to police that he had been drinking and said he had "a few to drink."
Police said they couldn't get Hopkins out of the car seat, so IFD had to extricate him from the vehicle. IMPD said the passenger of the pickup truck complained of pain and didn't appear to have any serious injuries, but the passenger was still taken to a local hospital.
Once Hopkins was extricated, he was taken to the hospital, where he was treated and then questioned by police.
Court documents say Hopkins had "glassy, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and appeared intoxicated."
Police said Hopkins told them that he was leaving his uncle's house and driving home when he was hit by the sedan. He also told police that he had allegedly drank about a half pint of vodka.
According to court documents, when an officer asked Hopkins if he felt intoxicated while the officer was questioning him, he said, "To a point" and said that he "may have drank a little too much."
Court documents say the officer then asked Hopkins if he should have been driving a car, which he responded with, "Probably not." He then told police that he had also used marijuana.
Based on the evidence at the scene, and speaking to witnesses, police said they believe Hopkins crossed the center line and crashed into the sedan head-on. IMPD said Hopkins was "at fault for the crash."
A blood draw was given, per IMPD procedure, and Hopkins tested positive to alcohol with a level of 0.207.
Hopkins was charged with causing death when operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and causing death when operating a motor vehicle with an ACE of .08 or more.
IMPD said Hopkins has three prior OVWI convictions, with the last conviction in 2010.
