Culver officer narrowly escapes injury after suspected drunk driver sideswipes patrol car

A 62-year-old Culver woman was arrested early Saturday morning after allegedly driving drunk, striking a police cruiser, and nearly hitting an officer before fleeing the scene.

The incident occurred on Saturday, May 2, at approximately 2:30 a.m. Culver Police Officer Alex Zerbee was conducting a routine traffic stop on State Road 10 near Thorn Road. According to the police report, Officer Zerbee was standing outside his fully marked Dodge Charger, which had its emergency lights activated, when another vehicle sideswiped the rear driver's side of the patrol car.

The striking vehicle narrowly missed Officer Zerbee and continued down the road without stopping.

Officer Zerbee immediately notified the dispatch center, returned to his damaged patrol car, and pursued the fleeing vehicle. He eventually caught up to the car, noting that the driver was slow to pull over and stop.

The driver, identified as Angela Shafer, 62, of rural Culver, was the sole occupant of the vehicle. Officers conducted an Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) investigation at the scene after Shafer exhibited signs of impairment. She agreed to take a certified chemical test and was transported to the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth.

The results of the chemical test revealed that Shafer's blood alcohol concentration was just over three times the legal limit.

Shafer was subsequently transported to the Marshall County Jail, where she was incarcerated on a $1,500 bond. She faces preliminary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated with an alcohol concentration equivalent of .15 or more as Class A Misdemeanor and operating a vehicle while intoxicated - endangering a person as a Class A Misdemeanor.

A full report will be forwarded to the Marshall County Prosecutor's Office for review, and formal or additional charges may be filed.

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is a mere allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.