LAKE COUNTY, Ind. (WTHR) – Indiana State Police say a man from Cincinnati was arrested in Lake County for driving impaired after "huffing paint."
On Monday, Aug. 26 around 5:15 p.m., a State Police sergeant was eastbound on I-80/94 when he saw a red car overtaking him quickly. Traffic was heavy and moving slow.
The red car, later identified as a 2012 Hyundai, passed the trooper who was in an unmarked police car and began to follow another vehicle less than a car length. The Hyundai eventually moved to the left lane and began passing traffic on the left shoulder, cutting off another vehicle, and changing lanes without using a turn signal.
The sergeant was able to stop the vehicle and immediately noticed the strong smell of spray paint coming from inside the vehicle.
The driver, later identified as 21-year-old Alec Sadauskas, had red spray paint on his face, hands, neck, shirt and blue jean jacket. Police say Sadauskas' speech was slurred and he appeared confused while the sergeant talked with him.
When questioned about the paint, he began to get angry and said the paint can “exploded” in his face. The paint can, however, was intact and not damaged.
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Further investigation revealed that Sadauskas was under the influence, with the spray paint being used as an intoxicant.
Sadauskas was taken into custody and booked at the Lake County Jail in Crown Point. He was charged with:
- Operating While Intoxicated
- Operating While Intoxicated Endangerment
- Speeding
- Improper Passing on the Left
- Following too Closely
- Unsafe Lane Movement
