Lang
11/27/25
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office says an impaired suspect on Interstate 380 thought she was in Illinois.
The Johnson County Joint Emergency Communications Center received multiple reports of a reckless driver heading westbound on I-80 just west of West Branch just before 10:00 last Saturday night. A 2017 Nissan Maxima was allegedly seen almost striking other vehicles and travelling with its left turn signal on. One caller followed the vehicle onto I-380 northbound, where it was eventually pulled over by a deputy near the Swisher exit.
The driver, Melissa Carter of Andover, Illinois, reportedly showed signs of impairment. The deputy says she told him she got lost driving from one destination in Illinois to another. Her breath alcohol level was measured at .00%, but a drug recognition expert determined she was under the influence. A urine test is pending.
Carter was arrested and charged with Operating While Intoxicated – 1st Offense. Carter was celebrating her 43rd birthday on the night she was arrested.