Hoffman formally charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. - Coty Hoffman, the officer accused of driving a police vehicle while drunk, has been formally charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, according to court documents.

Hoffman was charged with operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to .15 or more and operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person.

On Sunday, troopers with Indiana State Police were called to the area of Cleveland and Hickory Roads for a crash involving an off-duty St. Joseph County Police officer who was potentially intoxicated, according to the probable cause affidavit.

At the scene, troopers were told the St. Joseph County Police Department was also called to the area by the residents of a house in the 53000 block of Hickory Road.

The residents reported hearing a loud crash and looked out their window to see a police vehicle pulled over in the grass.

When they went to check on the vehicle, Coty Hoffman "did not appear to be doing ok," according to reports.

A mailbox at the scene was in several pieces.

A trooper spoke to Hoffman and noticed he smelled strongly of alcohol, reports said.

Hoffman said he was coming from his uncle's house and had a few beers there a couple hours earlier, the affidavit states.

Hoffman failed the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test, the Walk and Turn Test, and the One Leg Stand Test at the scene, according to troopers.

He consented to a chemical breath test, which came back as 0.165 grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath, reports said.

Hoffman's hearing is set for January 20.

At the time of the crash, Hoffman was on probation for violations of department policy regarding intoxication and impairment while off duty and for conduct unbecoming an officer for excessive alcohol use while off duty, according to public records released by the St. Joseph County Police Department.

He is currently on administrative suspension following the November 27 crash.

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