Gaston Town Council member charged with DWI
MUNCIE, Ind. — A member of Gaston Town Council has been charged with driving while intoxicated.
Brett A. Ellison, 48, was charged with the Class A misdemeanor charge, carrying a maximum one-year jail term, in Muncie City Court on Jan 25.
According to an affidavit, the charge stems from events on the early morning of Jan. 22.
Delaware County sheriff's deputies that morning were sent to a reported crash in the 8900 block of West Delaware County Road 850-N about 2:30 a.m., and reported finding Ellison near his crashed pickup truck.
A deputy reported Ellison smelled of alcohol and had slurred speech. An Ellison supporter on Thursday maintained the crash took place because the other vehicle had been left, without lights on, in the road.
More:New Castle woman charged with DWI in crash that injured two
Ellison said he had consumed two to four drinks at Champs Bar on North Walnut Street in Muncie, according to an affidavit.
The Gaston council member, who reportedly had a bloody nose after the crash, declined treatment by emergency medical personnel.
A breath test reportedly measured Ellison's blood-alcohol content at 0.08, In Indiana, motorists with a BAC of 0.08 or higher are considered intoxicated.
Deputies reported Ellison refused to willingly submit to a blood draw, resulting in a search warrant that was signed by Delaware Circuit Court 1 Judge Judi Calhoun.
A blood sample was taken from the council member at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.
A trial date in the City Court case has not yet been set. Ellison is being defended by local attorney Brandon Murphy.
Ellison, a Democrat who represents District 3 on the council, is a candidate for re-election in this year's election.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Crash leads to DWI charge against Gaston Town Council member
