Off-duty Patrolman arrested for .22% BAC, resigned

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - On Wednesday night, at approximately 11:07 p.m., Vigo County Sheriff’s Deputy Morris responded to personal injury, two-vehicle accident at US Hwy 40 and Hunt St. in Terre Haute.

Before Deputy Morris arrived, a Terre Haute Police (THPD) Officer had arrived on scene.

Deputy Morris spoke with the Officer and discovered the driver of the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), Mbudi Maloba, 32, of Terre Haute: an off-duty, newly hired Patrolman for the THPD, emitted a strong smell of an alcoholic beverage.

Deputy Morris spoke with the other driver, Elexa Mikolajczyk, and discovered that she was traveling westbound on US Hwy 40 in the driving lane, when she observed a SUV traveling eastbound on US Hwy 40.

She stated the vehicle turned in front of her, at which she attempted to stop, while she held the horn down hoping to alert to other driver to avoid a collision; however, it didn’t work.

She also stated that Maloba did not use a turn signal.

Mikolajczyk was taken to Union Hospital and was treated for minor injuries.

Deputy Morris then approached the SUV and briefly questioned Maloba, and took note of the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Maloba’s exhaled breath. The Deputy also noted that Maloba had bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech and poor manual dexterity.

Maloba was asked to submit a field sobriety test, to which he agreed. He failed the test.

Deputy Morris then asked Maloba if he was willing to take a chemical test, to which Maloba agreed.

The results of the test revealed that Maloba had a blood alcohol content of .22 percent.

Maloba was arrested and transported to the Vigo County Jail with the initial charge of Operative a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated.

According to Terre Haute Police Department, Maloba was recently hired as a Patrolman for the THPD.

News 10 was also informed that Maloba has resigned from his position as Patrolman Friday afternoon.
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Information from Vigo County Sheriff's Department