THE GOSHEN NEWS
NAPPANEE —
A Mishawaka man who admitted to smoking marijuana shortly before slamming into the back of a Nappanee police car early this morning, is being held in Kosciusko County Jail.
Gavin Thomas Byall, 20, of Mishawaka is preliminarily charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and reckless driving. He is being held on a $550 bond, according to Sgt. Chad D. Hill of the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.
Nappanee Police Officer Bradley A. Balasa, 36, was injured in the crash that occurred at approximately 12:50 a.m. at the intersection of Ind. 19 and Haney Drive in Kosciusko County.
According to police, Balasa, who is from Nappanee, was on patrol when he noticed a vehicle approaching his vehicle from behind at a high speed. Both vehicles were headed south on Ind. 19. Balasa was attempting to turn out of the way at the Haney Drive intersection when Byall’s vehicle slammed into the back of the marked squad car, according to the police report.
Balasa was taken to an Elkhart County hospital and released after being treated for minor injuries. Byall refused treatment at the scene, the report said, and admitted to smoking marijuana prior to the crash.
