Student gets car stuck on railroad

An IU student trying to make her way to a party Friday night found herself stuck on the railroad tracks instead. 

Mecca E. Howe, 19, faces preliminary charges for operating while intoxicated and illegal consumption by a minor. 

Bloomington Police Department officers were dispatched at 1:45 a.m. to the intersection of 13th Street and Indiana Avenue on reports of a vehicle on the railroad tracks. 

When police arrived, a male fled the scene, BPD Sgt. Jeff Canada said, reading from the police report.

A Mercury Mountaineer SUV was stuck in the snow on the railroad track bridge, Canada said.

Howe told police she was trying to get to Third and Smith streets and made a wrong turn, Canada said.

When police asked Howe if she knew where she was, she told police, “I’m on the railroad tracks in Bloomington,” Canada said. 

Howe entered the railroad tracks from 12th and Grant streets headed eastbound when she got stuck on the bridge.

She failed a sobriety test and had an alcoholic beverage on her person, Canada said.
Her eyes were red, and she staggered when she exited the vehicle, Canada added.

The rear two tires were flat, and the wheels had sustained damage. A wrecker service arrived and towed the SUV off the railroad tracks, Canada said. 

Howe told police she had been drinking beer that night but only had three cups. When given a Breathalyzer test, Howe had a blood alcohol content of .14, Canada said.  
Howe was taken to the Monroe County jail.