TROY — The former Deputy Police Chief for Tipp City was nearly involved in two crashes with police officers while she drove the wrong way prior to being arrested on suspicion of OVI in late December, Troy Police records show.
Stephanie Slepicka, 43, of Union, is facing a felony weapons charge in addition to OVI and two other misdemeanor charges. She was previously convicted for driving under the influence in 2004, according to Miami County court records.
Court records show not guilty pleas were entered on Slepicka’s behalf on all the charges. She’s scheduled back in court Tuesday.
She resigned from her Tipp City police position in late December.
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“She was remorseful for the events that transpired, and she showed professionalism for the community and department in her decision to resign,” said Tipp City Police Chief Greg Adkins.
Body camera footage of her arrest was released by Troy Police Thursday following a public records request from News Center 7.
Slepicka was first spotted driving the wrong way on West Market Street in Troy around 12:40 a.m. Dec. 22 by a West Milton officer who was returning to West Milton, according to a Troy police report. That officer flagged down a Troy officer to tell him about what happened.
“The vehicle did not use an evasive maneuver,” the West Milton officer told Troy Police. “To avoid the truck I had to hard brake and swerve right toward the ditch.”
Slepicka was arrested after a Troy officer found her driving on the wrong side of the road a short time later, a Troy police report read.
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“The Dodge Ram continued straight toward me as I activated my overhead lights,” Troy police wrote in their report. “The Dodge Ram swerved to my left to avoid hitting me and continued eastbound on the wrong side of the road.”
Slepicka told the Troy officer who stopped her that she had a couple drinks. The officer said he smelled alcohol coming from Slepicka as she got out of the truck.
“While speaking with the female I observed her speech to be slurred, her eyes were glassy, she had delayed responses to questions, and was not making sense with some answers,” the report read. “The female appeared to be using the truck to help her balance.”
Slepicka’s felony weapons charge of improperly handling a gun in her truck was filed after officers found a loaded handgun in her purse.
Initially, Slepicka declined to do any field sobriety tests. She ended up changing her mind at the police department, but was unable to blow for long enough to give police a valid breath test.
Slepicka was released to a friend following her arrest.
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