Driver accused of OWI after traffic stop

Rutan

A Columbus woman was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated after she was observed driving at a high rate of speed early Tuesday morning.

At approximately 12:45 a.m., a CPD officer spotted a sport utility vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on 25th Street near Chestnut Street. The officer stopped the vehicle a short time later and made contact with the driver who was identified as Sara E. Rutan, 21, of 1170 E. County Road 450S, Columbus, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.

While speaking with Rutan, the officers noted the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on her breath and observed open alcohol containers inside the vehicle, Harris said.

The officers administered several field sobriety tests to Rutan and she later provided a certified breath sample of .193%. Rutan was placed under arrest and transported to the Bartholomew County Jail where she was held on a preliminary charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated — greater than .15%.

She was being held in jail in lieu of $5,000 bond, jail officials said.