A 58-year-old Indiana woman, identified as Wendy Payne, who carries a prior reckless homicide conviction on her record, was arrested early on Monday morning. She now faces a new charge. Deputies from Vanderburgh County confirmed that Payne was booked into custody just after midnight on Monday. The specific charge against her is driving while intoxicated. Following this latest arrest, Payne is currently being held. Her bond has been set at $2,500.
Deputies with Vanderburgh County provided additional details surrounding the Monday morning incident. They stated to reporters that they found Payne's vehicle parked directly in the middle of a street. This location was on the west side of Vanderburgh County. The specific intersection where her vehicle was found was identified as Van Ness Avenue, near Kedzie Avenue. Upon encountering Payne, deputies observed her to be in a highly intoxicated state. Authorities further noted that she nearly fell several times during their interaction on the scene. According to the deputies, Payne allegedly informed them directly that she had been consuming alcoholic beverages at Leroy's Tavern just before being located.
The full extent of Wendy Payne's intoxication was further clarified during the booking process at the local jail. There, deputies administered a breath test to determine her blood alcohol content. The subsequent results from this test showed a significant level. Specifically, the test results indicated Payne's blood alcohol content measured at 0.228. According to authorities involved in the case, this measured level is nearly three times the established legal limit for driving.
This latest incident does not mark the first occasion Wendy Payne has faced charges directly related to driving while intoxicated. Authorities have reported that Payne was previously convicted for a similar offense. That conviction for driving while intoxicated occurred in Henderson earlier this year, specifically in July.
Beyond these recent and earlier drunken driving incidents, Wendy Payne also carries a highly significant prior conviction on her official record. She was found guilty of reckless homicide in 2021. This specific reckless homicide conviction stemmed from an incident that took place two years prior, in 2019. In that case, Payne was directly involved in the fatal stabbing of her husband, Edward. The tragic incident occurred at their shared residence, which was located on Glenview Drive. For her conviction in the reckless homicide case, Payne was handed a sentence of five years in state prison. She was, however, given credit for time already served during the extended legal process. Furthermore, during her sentencing hearing for the serious reckless homicide charge, several individuals stepped forward to testify on her behalf.