Mt. Vernon Officer arrested after crash at scene of shooting

MT. VERNON, Ind. (WFIE) - The Mt. Vernon Police Officer under investigation after troopers say he crashed while responding to the scene of a shooting, has been booked in jail and released on bond.

Troopers say the crash happened when police responded in August to the the shooting of Herbert Wade.

According to an affidavit, Collins told officers he was attending a football game when the shots fired call came through his radio. As he arrived on scene, Collins crashed into the back of another officer’s car.

The affidavit also shows other officers said they could smell alcohol on Collins.

Court records show Michael Collins was charged Monday with Official Misconduct and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person.

Officer Collins was hospitalized after the crash in August.

Police say Collins’ BAC was .114.

The mug shot taken Monday shows he’s still in a neck brace.

According to Mt. Vernon Police’s website, Collins was hired in 1998. He holds the position of Corporal and is a field training officer and crisis intervention officer.

Police tell us as of September 1, he’s been on administrative leave with pay, pending the outcome of his trial.

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