Trooper Finds Motorist Parked On Toll Road, Asleep With Needle In Arm
ELKHART — On Friday night, an Indiana State Trooper discovered more than he was expecting after stopping to help what he thought was a disabled motorist on the Indiana Toll Road.
At about 11:20 p.m., Trooper Nikolos Anderson says he stopped to help what he thought was a disabled motorist who parked on the right shoulder of the Indiana Toll Road near the 89.8-mile marker of the westbound lanes, accoridng to a news release issued by ISP.
As Anderson approached the black Ford Fusion he saw that the driver appeared to be sleeping. Anderson says he then noticed a syringe cap in the center console and a syringe still stuck in the left forearm of the driver.
During a search of the vehicle, Anderson found 34 packets of suspected fentanyl, 26 syringes, 8 pills preliminarily identified as methadone, and 2 packets of suspected Suboxen.
The driver, Lance Leffler, 38 of Conway, Arkansas, was preliminarily arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a syringe, and possession of a legend drug. Leffler was taken to the Elkhart County Jail.
Anderson was assisted by Deputy Justin Scott of the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office and Indiana State Trooper Matthew Henson.