2 DUI Charges Filed Against Fishers Principal

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. -- Two misdemeanor drunken driving charges were filed Thursday against Fishers High School Principal Scott Syverson, who was taken home instead of to jail when he was pulled over on suspicion of drunken driving last month.

Syverson, 42, was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, a Class A misdemeanor, and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor.

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Hamilton County Prosecutor Sonia Leerkamp said video of the Dec. 22 traffic stop, recorded by a police car's camera, gave her enough evidence to file the charges.

"There is sufficient evidence ... that we were able to make a charging decision, so I feel comfortable with that," Leerkamp said.

No arrest warrant was issued and Syverson can waive an initial court hearing.

Syverson's attorney, Jim Crum, told 6News' Jennifer Carmack that his client is relieved the case is moving forward and is looking forward to putting the incident behind him. Crum said the fact that Syverson was charged indicates he is not getting special consideration.

The Hamilton Southeastern school board is scheduled to meet Friday morning in a closed session to consider Syverson's future.

Fishers police Officer Kevin Kobli pulled Syverson over after he observed the principal's car weaving and striking curbs, officials said. Syverson failed several field sobriety tests before Kobli took him home and brought Syverson's wife to Syverson's car so she could drive it home, according to police.

A camera in Kobli's car recorded the incident. According to the video, Syverson's blood-alcohol content registered more than twice the legal limit for drivers and Syverson admitted drinking five beers before getting behind the wheel.

Authorities said Kobli took Syverson home after the officer's supervisor told him to use his discretion.

In a statement released Thursday, Fishers Police Chief George Kehl said that although arrests on suspicion of misdemeanors are discretionary in Indiana, Kobli's decision probably wasn't correct, and that Kobli now "most certainly wishes he had driven ... Syverson to jail."

Kehl said Kobli is an exemplary officer, noting he has won the department's Chief's Award and an officer of the year award from the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police.

"We all make mistakes. We will not punish, reprimand or suspend Officer Kobli. He has been punished enough," Kehl said.

Earlier this week, Syverson issued a public apology through his attorney, saying that he had made "critical and unacceptable errors in judgment" that morning.