Staff Report

Hugo Romero Jr.

WARSAW — A Fort Wayne man was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence while three children were in his vehicle.

Hugo Romero Jr., 35, Fort Wayne, is charged with operating a vehicle with an ACE of 0.15 or more with a passenger under the age of 18 and three counts of neglect of a dependent, all level 6 felonies.

On July 14, a Warsaw Police officer responded to a report of a reckless driver traveling west on US 30, in the area of CR 325E. A witness said a driver was speeding and unable to maintain their lane. He also said the driver was dumping alcohol out of the vehicle.

According to court documents, the witness said he was concerned the driver would cause an accident. He traveled nearly 90 mph to catch up to the suspect vehicle in order to obtain its license plate information. The officer found the vehicle and witnessed the driver follow another vehicle too closely, drift in its own lane, and cross over the road’s fog line.

The officer identified Romero as the driver and saw three children in the vehicle. Romero exhibited physical signs of intoxication and failed several field sobriety tests.

Upon searching Romero’s vehicle, the officer found an empty 32-ounce bottle of an alcoholic beverage. An assisting Warsaw officer took the children to the Warsaw Police Department to await the Department of Child Services and a relative.

Romero also admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the day. A portable breath test resulted in a 0.15% BrAC.

Romero has already been arrested and released on bond.