Staff Report

MENTONE — A Mentone woman was arrested for allegedly driving a vehicle while under the influence.

Helena Montana Huffer

Helena Montana Huffer, 59, 4236 S. Lakeshore Drive, Mentone, is charged with possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor; operating a vehicle while intoxicated and possession of paraphernalia, both class C misdemeanors; and operating a vehicle with an ACE of 0.08 or more with a prior conviction, a level 6 felony.

On Sept. 17, Mentone’s deputy marshal was stationary on Main Street in Mentone when they heard a loud bang. They observed a pickup truck in the parking lot with white smoke inside the cab, and noted the vehicle exited the parking lot to park on Main Street. The deputy marshal checked on the driver, who was identified as Huffer, and noted the driver’s side air bag was deployed. Huffer stated she did not know what she hit.

Huffer refused to take standardized field sobriety tests and a certified chemical test. Upon searching her vehicle, officers located a smoking device with marijuana inside. While the chemical test results from Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital are pending, Huffer tested at .156% BrAC on a portable breath test.

Huffer has a prior conviction of OWI from June 2022.

Huffer has already been arrested and released on bond. She has an initial hearing at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, in Kosciusko Superior Court Three.