LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Members of the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a disabled semi tractor trailer on State Rd. 43 North. The driver of the semi had disregarded the “road closed – high water” signs at State Rd. 43 North and Soldiers Home Road. The driver continued southbound around the signs and drove into the high water on State Rd. 43 North.
Members of the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office Underwater Rescue and Recovery Team responded to the scene and rescued the driver. The water had entered the cab of the semi. The driver was transported by ambulance to St. Elizabeth Medical Center and treated for hypothermia.
According to a statement by the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Department, Guadalupe S. Martinez (age 51) of Hammond, Indiana was arrested for Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated and for Disregarding a Traffic Control Device. The driver’s Blood Alcohol Content was .22 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood, which is nearly three times the legal limit. He was not booked into jail because he was admitted to the hospital.
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