Near head-on crash with deputy leads to arrest of Columbus woman

A Columbus woman was arrested after a near head-on collision with a Bartholomew County Sheriff’s deputy.

Authorities say that at approximately 5:25 p.m. Thursday, Deputy Andrew Whipker was eastbound on 25th Street near Fox Pointe Drive when a car crossed the center line into his lane. The deputy was able to avoid a crash and turned his vehicle around to initiate a traffic stop. Police say the car continued westbound in the eastbound lanes before driving into the grass on the south side of 25th Street.

While speaking with the driver, Shelby M. Harsh, 27, authorities observed signs of impairment and could smell the odor of marijuana coming from inside her vehicle. Harsh reportedly told Deputy Whipker that she had smoked heroin and marijuana earlier in the day.

A cut straw with burnt residue and tin foil with burnt residue were discovered in Harsh’s vehicle.

Harsh was remanded to the Bartholomew County Jail on preliminary charges of:

– Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated
– Possession of Paraphernalia

She was also issued a citation for:

– Driving Left of Center
– Driving while Suspended

Harsh has since been released.