---

---

Reckless Driver Report Leads to Drug Arrest

web posted March 15, 2013
TRENTON – Edgefield County 911 Dispatchers received a report of a reckless driver traveling northbound on Highway 25 Wednesday morning in a grey Jeep that was unable to maintain her lane. As Sheriff's Deputies tried to get into position to intercept the Jeep another report of the driver running a truck off the road was reported. A deputy was able to get behind the Jeep at Sarah's Peach Stand and followed for a distance and conducted a traffic stop after the woman drifted into oncoming traffic.

The driver, identified as Melinda Rae Lowe, 37, of Hermitage Lane in North Augusta, was unable to produce South Carolina drivers license and seemed "very disoriented and confused," an incident report states.

After being given consent to search the vehicle, the deputy, with the use of a K-9 drug dog, located a "quantity" of a rock like substance believed to be crack cocaine in two separate containers in Lowe's pocketbook. Also recovered were two glass tubes, one burnt on one end, believed to be used for smoking crack cocaine. All items were seized and Lowe was taken into custody.

Lowe was charged with driving under suspension, reckless driving and possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine. According to online court records, Lowe remains behind bars on a total of $6,102 in surety bonds.

No court date was available.

The vehicle, which did not belong to Lowe, was towed from the scene.

1303159