Woman faces DWI charge in crash that critically injured passenger

MUNCIE, Ind. — Delaware County sheriff's deputies say a Marion woman's blood-alcohol content was at more than three times the legal limit when she caused a crash on Ind. 28 that severely injured a passenger.

Tehya Marie Fear, 20, was preliminarily charged with driving while intoxicated. She was being held Tuesday in the Delaware County jail under a $10,000 bond.

Investigators said Fear was driving eastbound in the 1300 block of West Ind. 28 shortly before 2:30 a.m. Sunday when she struck the rear of another vehicle.

The other driver said his speed was 55 mph and believed Fear's vehicle was traveling at "at least 80 mph."

Fear and one of two passengers in her vehicle, a 23-year-old Marion woman, were injured in the crash and taken by ambulance to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.

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According to an affidavit, the passenger suffered "multiple spine fractures" and was believed to be paralyzed. She also suffered injuries to her liver, spleen and a kidney.

Fear told a deputy she had ingested two mixed drinks at a Muncie tavern before the crash.

Blood tests measured Fear's blood-alcohol content at 0.258, the affidavit said. In Indiana, motorists with a BAC of 0.08 or higher are considered intoxicated.

The tests also allegedly showed the Marion woman had ingested marijuana.

Fear "did not ask the condition of (her passenger) and showed no concern for her condition," the deputy wrote.

The Marion woman was transferred Monday from the hospital to the county jail.

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: Woman faces DWI charge in crash that critically injured passenger