FBI agents investigating a fatal accident involving an Indianapolis Metropolitan police officer have been told about confusion and varying city policies when it came to delivering that officer to a medical clinic for a blood draw.
Officer David Bisard was accused of driving drunk on August 6th when he ran into a group of motorcyclists, killing one, on East 56th Street. A blood draw at the Methodist Occupational Health facility tested .19% for alcohol in the officer's system. Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi later dropped the drunk driving charges against Bisard, claiming that police officers botched the investigation by taking the officer to the clinic which was not certified to perform such a procedure.
Public outrage followed the prosecutor's announcement and the demotion of three commanders and transfer of a fourth officer in the wake of the investigation. Public Safety Director Frank Straub requested an FBI investigation. For two weeks FBI agents, accompanied by IMPD detectives, have interviewed officers involved in the crash investigation.
Sources tell Fox59 News that a new state law last spring restricted DUI blood draws to a hospital setting, not a clinic. IMPD officers claim it was the responsibility of the prosecutors office to inform officers of that change and conduct training on the law changes. Those officers said such advisement and training was never given by Brizzi's office. A source claims the FBI has been told of this lack of communication that may have led to the botched blood draw.
Mayor Greg Ballard has said he expects the FBI report on his desk within three weeks. Officers involved in the investigation told Fox59 News that they hope the report will be released simultaneously to the public to avoid spin or a partial release of information.
