By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Patricia Ann Couzan

WARSAW — Two people are facing criminal charges for drug possession and operating while intoxicated in the presence of a child.

Patricia Ann Couzan, 57, Gary, is charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, a class A misdemeanor; and operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person under the age of 18, a level 6 felony.

Major Darnell Couzan, Gary, is charged with possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor.

On March 11, a Warsaw Police officer received information about a possible impaired driver swerving and braking, almost hitting several vehicles, on Lake City Highway.

According to court documents, the officer found the suspect vehicle and saw it almost sideswipe a semi-truck and change lanes without signaling. The officer pulled the vehicle over and identified its driver as Patricia, who smelled like alcohol and marijuana.

Patricia was also exhibiting signs of intoxication and admitted to drinking two hard seltzers two hours prior to being pulled over. At the time, Major was a front seat passenger in Patricia’s vehicle and there was a child in the backseat.

Patricia failed several field sobriety tests and was taken to Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital. Certified chemical test results from Patricia are pending at this time.

Upon searching Patricia’s vehicle, officers found several alcoholic beverage containers and a backpack containing marijuana and THC gummies. Major said the items found in the backpack belonged to him.

Patricia was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on March 11. Major has an initial hearing at 1 p.m. April 17, in Kosciusko Superior Court Two.