Report: Deputy's alcohol level four times legal limit

• A Delaware County deputy%27s BAC measured at more than four times the legal limit after he caused a four-car accident.

MUNCIE – A preliminary police report alleges a Delaware County deputy's blood-alcohol level was more than four times the legal limit when he caused a four-vehicle accident on Saturday.

A blood test administered on Todd Daily — who is preliminarily charged with four counts of driving while intoxicated endangering a person — produced a BAC of 0.387 percent, according to the Muncie Police Department report. Motorists in Indiana are considered intoxicated with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher.

The test results will not be official until they are verified by an Indiana State Police laboratory. A breath test administered on the deputy produced a BAC of less than 0.30 percent, but still more than three times over the legal limit.

The report also reflects a witness estimated Daily's speed at more than 60 mph when he slammed into the back of a car that was stopped at a red light at Ind. 32 and Country Club Road shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday.

That car was forced into the back of a pickup truck, which in turn struck the back of another car. Daily, who was off duty, and two other people were hurt in the four-vehicle accident.

While Muncie police continue to investigate the accident, Indiana State Police will assist the sheriff's department in an internal probe.

Sheriff Mike Scroggins said Monday that state police would assist in investigating "what (departmental) policies, rules and regulations" might have been violated by Saturday's events, "to let us deal with this quickly and efficiently."

"I'm really thankful they've agreed to do this," said Scroggins, who had earlier appointed Lt. Arlan Johnson to lead the internal investigation.

Muncie police Sgt. Michael Engle said Monday it would likely be a few days before the MPD probe is completed.

Engle also said it would take a few weeks before Daily's blood-alcohol content at the time of the crash was officially known.

"it's going to be awhile before (a) toxicology (report) gets back​," he said.

Delaware County Prosecutor Jeffrey Arnold confirmed he had reviewed the preliminary report.

Arnold said whether the 46-year-old deputy was charged with misdemeanor or felony charges could hinge on reports he receives about the extent of injuries suffered by the crash victims.

Asked whether he might ask that an out-of-county prosecutor handle the case, Arnold said, "I haven't made that decision yet."

Daily and the drivers of two of the other vehicles involved in the accident — Shirley Fisher, 75, and Ronald Wright, 73 — were treated for their injuries at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.

Wright was released after treatment in the emergency room. Fisher was admitted to the hospital and listed in fair condition on Sunday. She has since been released, hospital spokesman Neil Gifford said Monday.

Daily on Sunday was processed at the Delaware County jail, then released after posting a $12,500 bond.

He has been placed on administrative leave.

"It's all due process," Scroggins said of the county police corporal's status.

The sheriff said he has the authority to impose suspensions — without pay — for up to 15 days. However, doing so before completion of the investigations could impede his ability to later impose a harsher punishment if warranted, Scroggins said.

Contact news reporter Douglas Walker at (765) 213-5851. You can also follow him on Twitter @DouglasWalkerSP.