Driving home from a meeting in Saline March 6, Milan's superintendent of schools noticed the car in front of him was crossing the center line, swerving from side to side in the lane. Concerned, Bryan Girbach called the Milan Police and followed the car until police took over and stopped the vehicle on the northbound US-23 ramp.

Police found the driver's reflexes and judgment to be impaired and discovered a crack pipe, a cache of prescription narcotics, including Oxycodone and Valium, and $360 in the trunk.

The driver was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and was transported to St. Joseph Mercy Saline Hospital for drug testing while her car was impounded.

"This is the first time I had ever done something like this that was not work related," Girbach said. "I was truly concerned for the other motorists on the road. In addition, it was just after our elementary dismissal time and I was worried about our walking students."

Milan Police Chief Jeffrey Lewis commended Girbach and said it's not uncommon for citizens to call in with a concern, but it's unusual for an arrest to ensue before harm is done "It takes coordination, and a citizen willing to call in and give us updated information so we can deploy officers to the location," Lewis said. "Remember, the vehicle is a moving target, so it doesn't take long to leave our jurisdiction. Bryan was extremely patient."

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Source: Milan News Leader, 3.19.09